WREXHAM: 5G mast plan to improve coverage in Caia Park

Wrexham Council’s planning department has received an application seeking to install the monopole on a stretch of pavement along the Kingsmills Road in the Whitegate ward.

It has been submitted by CEP Telecoms Ltd on behalf of the mobile telecoms operator CK Hutchison Networks (UK) Ltd.

The proposal is to install a radio base station in order to provide the latest 3G, 4G and new 5G technology to the area.

Kingsmills Road. (Image: Wrexham Council planning documents)

A letter sent to Caia Park Community Council during a consultation period, is contained within the planning documents which outlines the reason for the proposal.

It says: “As part of CK Hutchison Networks (UK) Ltd continued network improvement program, there is a specific requirement for an installation at the grass verge at King's Mill's Road to ensure that the latest high quality 3G and 4G service provision is provided in this area of the Caia Park.

“The proposed column will also ensure that new 5G coverage can also be provided at this location. This ensures that coverage and capacity requirements are maintained. Mobile telecoms networks are now ubiquitous throughout the UK.

“It is an expectation that an individual can connect and use their mobile phone whenever and wherever they are.

Kingsmills Road (Image: Wrexham Council planning documents)

“With the advent of new technology, under the banner of 5G, further advances are proposed and Central Government has seen the telecoms industry, and in particular 5G, to be at the forefront of economic development. This site will enable 5G coverage to be provided to this area of Caia Park.”

In the letter to the community council the company also provided a list of alternative locations in the same area of Wrexham which it had considered but ruled out, giving reasons for rejecting them;

• Greenfield - Premier, Norman Road, Hightown. An installation at this location is located too far away to deliver the required level of coverage to the target area.
• Rooftop - Rivulet Road, Rivulet Road Trade Park. This rooftop was discounted as it would be unable to support the telecommunications apparatus due to the pitched nature of the roof. A stub tower solution would be required however this was discounted from a planning perspective as a large stub tower would be visually prominent within the area and severely harm the amenity of the area.
• Rooftop - CEF Wrexham, Rivulet Road, Rivulet Road Trade Park. This flat rooftop was discounted due to the low elevation of the building. A stub tower solution would be required however this was discounted from a planning perspective as a large stub tower would be visually prominent within the area and severely harm the amenity of the area.
• Streetworks - Kingsmills Road, Hightown. A site in this location would not be able to be built due to the proximity of overhead power BT lines which would make the installation of a radio base station in this location problematic
• Streetworks - Kingsmills Road, The Dunks, Caia Park. The footway at this location is too narrow to accommodate the operator's equipment. As such, it would lead to highway safety issues.
• Streetworks - Davies Court, Hightown. The footway at this location is too narrow to accommodate the operator's equipment. As such, it would lead to highway safety issues. A site in this location has therefore been discounted for this reason.

An aerial view of where the mast would be. (Image: Wrexham Council planning documents)

Earlier this year Wrexham Council turned down an application for a 17m pole and cabinets earmarked for the corner of Percy Road and Stockwell Grove in Hightown on the grounds that it would cause a detrimental visual impact.

Council planners will make a decision on this application at a future date. More details about the application can be found on the planning section of Wrexham Council’s website.