Controversial 5G Telecommunications Tower Approved for Baxenden Golf Club

Baxenden Golf Club to Get 5G Telecommunications Tower Despite Neighbour Objections

In a controversial decision, Baxenden Golf Club in East Lancashire is set to receive a 25-metre high telecommunications tower capable of handling 5G signals. The tower, to be built by Manchester-based Icon Tower Infrastructure Ltd, has received consent from Hyndburn Council despite objections from nearby residents.

The new telecommunications tower will replace a nearby mobile phone mast and will allow multiple mobile network operators in the area to consolidate their equipment on one tower. The approval includes conditions to address concerns raised by residents, including the visual impact on the countryside, potential traffic issues on Wooley Lane, and the spread of Japanese Knotweed.

Despite the objections, a planning officer’s report highlighted the benefits of the new tower, stating that it will only be erected if and when a telecoms operator needs the facility. The mast is designed to accommodate equipment from multiple operators and is seen as a potential replacement for existing masts in the area.

The agent for the project has taken steps to address the concerns raised by residents, including moving the tower further away from housing and ensuring compliance with legal responsibilities regarding Japanese Knotweed and protected species.

While the decision may not sit well with all residents, the construction of the telecommunications tower at Baxenden Golf Club is seen as a necessary step to improve connectivity in the area and provide a more efficient telecommunications infrastructure for mobile network operators.