'The least worst option' - 25-metre mobile phone mast plan approved near Shrewsbury despite opposition from villagers

Atlas Tower Group has been given permission by Shropshire Council for the mast on a site in Kinnerley, between Shrewsbury and Oswestry.

The proposal, for a piece of land near Plasau Oak in the village, will provide a mast that can be used by all four of the major mobile networks - which Atlas says would improve coverage for Kinnerley and Knockin Heath.

A decision notice from Shropshire Council acknowledged the local opposition to the mast but said the plan was the "least worst option" to improve mobile coverage in the area.

It stated: "Whilst the siting and appearance of the proposed mast and floor mounted ancillary equipment would have an acknowledged adverse impact on the landscape and less than substantial harm to the setting of two nearby heritage assets, sufficient justification has been provided to demonstrate there is limited opportunity within the local area for suitable alternative siting to provide the required coverage to the local community.

"It is acknowledged that the community has mixed views on the proposal, however it is not the role of the Local Planning Authority to question the need for the electronic communications system or set health safeguards different from the International Commission guidelines for public exposure.

"On balance the location of the proposed development is deemed to be the least worst option to provide best and widest coverage in this rural area, given the limitations of power, topography, landscape impact, available land and flood risk."

A letter from residents opposed to the scheme said they were 'not opposed to progress', but were unhappy with the way the application had been carried out.

It said: "The feelings in the parish are running very high as is evidenced by the 80 or so objections that have been received to the application and the turnout at the parish committee meeting on 27th January 2025."

The objections included questions over the consultation, claims that details in the application were not correct, and that alternative sites were not properly followed up.