Residents have vented their frustration over a mobile network operator's response over its plans to install a 5G mast on their estate.

More than 140 objections have been made to the council after proposals by Three emerged to install a 16m mast on Coleridge Road in Greenmount, a cul-de-sac just off Byron Road.

Campaigners have vowed to "keep the pressure up" in opposition to the application, which they say is not in a suitable location, intrudes their space and will lower the value of their homes among other concerns.

In response to criticism over the location, Three said: “We want to offer the community in Greenmount a reliable network experience and this site will be critical to making that happen.

"While we try to keep mast sites as unobtrusive as possible, they need to be situated where people will be using the service and, in many cases, in precise locations to ensure the widest breadth of coverage.”

But residents vented their frustration after saying they discovered the same statement had been provided by Three regarding other applications across the country. 

Coleridge Road resident Kate Luxton said: “This is ‘cut and paste planning’ at its very worst and shows a complete contempt for local issues by applying the same argument irrespective of the specific concerns of residents.”

The near identical comments were found by simply typing the statement into a search engine.

Mrs Luxton discovered that it had been issued in locations such as Southampton, Poole, Cardiff, Watford and Oxfordshire.

Another Coleridge Road resident Trevor Morgan said: “Under planning rules applicants must show that they are genuinely considering issues raised by local residents during the planning process.

“This incident demonstrates that Three has a tin ear as far as public consultation goes.”

Trevor added the community has raised Three’s approach, believed to be "cavalier" by locals, with Bury North MP James Daly and Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham and will be adding it to their list of formal objections to the council.

In a fresh statement, Three said: “We understand the Greenmount community’s concern for their local spaces and will continue our engagement with the council as they consider the planning decision.

"Our main objective is to bring a reliable network experience to the residents, providing better connectivity.”

Mr Daly also held a meeting with 42 residents on Sunday, September 25 at Greenmount Old School Community Centre to discuss concerns.

Councillors have confirmed with the local authority that people can still submit objections before the consideration on October 17.

It is asked that residents try and respond before October 10 though to allow the council officers sufficient time to look at the responses.

Mr Daly said: “The priority at the moment is to try and ensure the decision goes before the planning committee rather than being taken by council officers.

“The more people object to it, the more it is expected that the proposal will go to the committee so increasing the number of responses is critical.

“There are already 142, which is a very significant amount, but it is always better to have more.”

He added: “I wholeheartedly agree with local residents this location, so close to people’s houses and on land that has a community use, is clearly not appropriate for a mast.

“Especially considering the size of the proposal. I will be working with the local community and local councillors to ensure it is considered by the planning committee.”

North Manor Cllr Khalid Hussain said: “The proposed 5G mast in Greenmount is very large and will be intrusive and have a negative impact on the beautiful surroundings.

“The mast will result in significant harm to the visual amenity of homes and could have a negative impact on wildlife.”

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