Plans to build a 5G mast close to Whitefield War Memorial have been blocked by the council after dozens of objections.
The plans, submitted to the council last month, proposed the construction of a 18m tall mast on a grass verge near the junction of Higher Lane and Church Lane.
The proposals garnered 79 objections from residents as well as from Labour councillor for Pilkington Park, Elizabeth FitzGerald, Bury Conservatives leader Cllr Russell Bernstein and Labour MP for Bury South, Christian Wakeford.
The mast would have been built in Whitefield’s conservation area near to All Saint’s Church, a Grade I listed building.
The application was submitted by CK Hutchison Networks (UK) Ltd on behalf of mobile phone network, Three.
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In responses to the application, published by the council, residents expressed concern about the mast’s close proximity to the war memorial, with some calling the plans "disrespectful".
One objection read: “The church and surrounding area is an area of beauty and a quiet place for people. Please find an alternative.”
Another wrote: “I strongly object to this proposal to erect a 5G mast in such close proximity to Stand Church (All Saints' Church) and the cenotaph.
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“It's inappropriate and disrespectful to all local residents who visit the church to worship and remember their loved ones.
"I fail to see how the mast can possibly blend in with 19th century architecture.”
Speaking about the application last month, Cllr Fitzgerald called on 5G companies to work together with communities before submitting applications for phone masts.
She said: “People understand there needs to be infrastructure, but companies should work with each other and us to agree planned networks rather than just putting applications through one-by-one wherever they see a spare bit of land with no concern to how that impacts the residents.”
In a report published on Wednesday, December 7, the council confirmed that it had refused the construction of the mast on the grounds that it would be "intrusive".
It said: “The proposed development would, by reason of its size, position and design, be a prominent and intrusive feature in the street scene and would add to the clutter within the street scene.
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“Therefore, the proposed development would be seriously detrimental to the visual amenities of the area.
“The proposal would by virtue of its siting, size, design and mass have a severely detrimental impact on the setting of the Grade II listed war memorial and the Grade I Listed church of All Saints.”
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