Councillors in Buckley are calling on a telecommunications firm to halt the installation of a 15 metre phone mast.

Numerous concerns have been raised about the scheme on Church Road, including what councillors described as a "flawed planning consultation."

Town and county councillor Mike Peers said those concerns were raised with representatives of the applicant company, Hutchinson Telecom/ Three UK, and Flintshire County Council more than six weeks ago - with a response only coming from the company on Monday when it is understood work was due to start.

Cllr Peers, along with fellow members Cllr Dennis Hutchinson and Cllr Richard Jones, says after receiving the planning application and numerous complaints from local residents, a request was made for an alternative site further away to what was proposed.

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He explained: "The proposed location is only a couple of metres away from the kitchen window of a nearby property, impacting on the amenity of the property.

"The location also impacts on the streetscene. This is unacceptable.

"Representations to the planning authority were made in the normal way, advising on the impact on amenity and streetscene because of the mast proposals, but a flawed planning consultation denied members of the planning committee the opportunity to review the application and pay a site visit.

“Despite the objections from councillors and residents, a 'deemed consent' was issued by the local authority, but because of the flaw in the planning consultation we called on both the planning authority and Hutchinson telecom to review the location under their obligation to consider potential impact caused by the proposal.

"In Wrexham recently a similar mast was refused because of the impact on the streetscene conflicting with planning policy."

The councillors have proposed an alternative site for the mast across the road which they say does not impact residential amenity and would be less intrusive in the streetscene. 

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Despite the councillors asking for evidence which may prevent the mast being relocated they say none has come forward.

They are requesting a site meeting with the company and the council, to halt the current installation, to look at the impact on amenity and streetscene caused by the current location and to view and discuss the alternative site proposed.

A Three UK spokesman said: “5G rollout is vital for residents and businesses of Buckley.

"We want to offer the community a reliable network experience and a new site will be critical to making that happen.

“Masts need to be situated where people will be using the service and, in many cases, in precise locations to ensure the widest breadth of coverage.

"We carry out extensive searches and evaluate a wide range of options before submitting any planning applications.

"For this mast, we have used the slimmest design at the shortest workable height of 15m to reduce the mast’s visual impact.”

The company added that the site has planning approval from Flintshire Council and is being installed in accordance with the permission.

Flintshire Council was also approached by the Leader for comment.