Plan for 5G mast next to historic Black Country pub thrown out
Plans for a 65-foot high 5G telecommunications mast near a historic pub have been rejected.
Sandwell Council planning officers used delegate powers to throw out the application to build the mast in Abbey Road, Bearwood, saying it would be a "dominant and incongruous feature" on the street.
Developers wanted to build the mast on land between a post office and the listed Abbey pub.
But in rejecting the plan council bosses said: “By reason of its siting and appearance, it constitutes a dominant and incongruous feature within the streetscape surrounding the site which would be harmful to the character and appearance of the area and the setting of The Abbey Public House – a Grade II listed building.”
Dating back to the 1930s the pub is famed for its period interiors which have special protection from Historic England.
Abbey ward local councillor Bob Piper said planning officers were right to reject the plan.
He said: “I think its the right decision, the scheme was pretty intrusive as such.
“I do understand they want to put 5G masts in areas which are not necessarily residential but this is pretty close to people’s properties and at 20 metres it is enormous and it seemed to me to be very intrusive.”
Four years ago, the pub was saved from closure after locals launched a nine month fight to keep it open when its owners announced it would be sold.
