Plans for new EE phone mast in Wrexham hit another snag

Plans to build a new phone mast to boost signal for people living in Wrexham have hit a further snag.

Work by mobile phone provider EE to install a 20-metre-high pole near Waterworld Leisure Centre in the town has been brought to a halt because of the discovery of storm drains underneath the site.

The company said it meant the base of the structure could not be put in place and it has now applied to Wrexham Council to move it further along Holt Street.

The firm first entered proposals to replace an existing mast on the roof of Wrexham Police Station in August last year with the building expected to be demolished in the near future.

The scheme was initially refused by the local authority amid a row over the location, but later allowed on appeal by the Planning Inspectorate.

In their latest application, representatives from EE said the pole was needed to improve 3G and 4G coverage in the area, as well as to support a new communication network for emergency services.

It said: “A trial hole was conducted at the newly approved site location and discovered that storm drains were located deep below usual services depth, which would prevent the column’s root foundation from being deployed at that location.

“Following this, a sit trench was carried out to identify the locations for these storm drains and a location has been found that avoids impacting on these services.

“Consequently, this application for prior approval is being submitted to permit the repositioning of the pole as the local planning authority would not consider this to be a non-material amendment.

“The proposed replacement mast will not only service voice calls but will include provision for 3G and 4G data use which will be of great benefit to all users of the network.

“As you may be aware, EE Ltd have been awarded the contract to provide network services to the emergency services.

“The site is required to provide coverage for all the blue light services in this area.”

The council rejected the original plans in October 2018 as it said it would have a negative impact on the appearance of land near the Tesco roundabout.

But that decision was overturned in April this year by planning inspector Clive Nield, who said the mast would not look out of place.

The latest application will be decided by the authority at a later date.

By Liam Randall – BBC Local Democracy Reporter (more here on the LDR scheme).