'Urgent' phone mast plans for Exeter

-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)
-Credit: (Image: Reach Publishing Services Limited)


A planning application is waiting to be considered by Exeter City Council to erect a 20 meter high phone mast on land at Hamlin Lane Playing Field in Exeter. The applicant is Cornerstone, said to be the UK's leading mobile infrastructure services company.

The planning documents state that it currently provides coverage to the area from an existing site on the rooftop of Rennes House in Vaughan Road but due to plans to demolish the building, it is looking for an alternative site.

It said: "In order to avoid a situation where there is no coverage for Vodafone in this busy location, there is an urgent need to provide replacement coverage assoon as possible. A replacement installation in this location will ensure that the latest high-quality 4G coverage is maintained and new 5G provision is provided in and around Heavitree."

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It added: "Cornerstone is limited in siting options as there is a requirement to provide equivalent replacement coverage and capacity and new 5G for this area of Exeter. The replacement of an existing site means that the operator has to be located as close as possible to the existing installation in order to fit in with the surrounding network and to maintain the provision of equivalent coverage and capacity to the surrounding local area."

The current phone mast site and location of the proposed new site
The current phone mast site and location of the proposed new site -Credit:Cornerstone

Providing details of where it will be sited on the field, it said: "The proposed site is located on a section of hardstanding on the southern boundary of Hamlin Lane Playing Fields. It is set back from the footway against the backdrop of large mature trees measuring approximately 14 metres in height.

"The trees line the boundary of the playingfields, and separate the application site from residential properties to the south. To the north of the application site is a footpath and the playing fields, with allotments and the railway line beyond.

"There are a number of linear structures within the area including lighting columns and signage,which will help the equipment assimilate with its surroundings."

It added a pre-application consultation was carried out with the ward councillors for Heavitree and former Exeter MP Ben Bradshaw. The plans include installing a 20 metre high monopole supporting six antennas and two transmission dishes, two equipment cabinets, one electric meter cabinet, and ancillary development including compound fencing.

The location of the proposed new phone mast at Hamlin Lane Playing Field
The location of the proposed new phone mast at Hamlin Lane Playing Field -Credit:Cornerstone

Explaining why it has to be 20 metres, it said: "The height cannot be reduced as this would prevent the site from providing the required levels of coverage over the tall mature trees in the area, and would prevent the dishes from achieving a clear line of sight with the existing dishes in the network, and this would fail the design brief."

It added: "Without this replacement installation, following the removal of the existing radio base station, the area would be detrimentally affected as they continue to try to serve a much larger demand. The result would be a loss of coverage, constant buffering and dropped calls to the surrounding area, to the detriment of locals, businesses and visitors to the area."

The application was submitted in June and has so far received eight public objections. It has not been confirmed when the council's planning committee will make a decision on the application and remains 'pending consideration'.