PLANNING approval to upgrade a number of phone masts to 5G is “not required” according Council officers.
In April the first applications for 5G upgrades were made to Bradford Council. They included applications to replace a mast at the top of New Devonshire House, Devonshire Street, Keighley, replace a mast at the top of Jowitt House, 153 Sunbridge Road, and replace a mast standing at Idle Cricket Club.
The Keighley application had been submitted by EE and 3G UK, and the other two applications have been submitted by WHP Wilkinson Helsby.
Planning officers said the three schemes met national guidelines and that prior approval from the Council was not required.
They added: "The development of high speed broadband technology and other communications networks also plays a vital role in enhancing the provision of local community facilities and services.
"The planning framework also says that local planning authorities must determine applications on planning grounds.
"They should not seek to prevent competition between different operators, question the need for the telecommunications system, or determine health safeguards if the proposal meets International Commission guidelines for public exposure."
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