Phone mast planned near two Leeds schools after complaints over poor 5G
The proposed sites is near two
A 19-metre mobile phone mast could be installed in a north Leeds suburb if plans are agreed with the council.
EE Ltd has applied to Leeds City Council to fit the equipment on Stainbeck Road in Chapel Allerton.
The company warned that the installation was need to maintain 5G coverage after other nearby mast applications were refused.
A planning report said: “The proposal has been sited and designed to provide greater mobile phone coverage and greater capacity for local residents, visitors and businesses alike from an installation at this location.
“Should the proposed not proceed, the individuals residing within Chapel Allerton will have no or very little coverage.”
Planning documents show the proposed site is near Carr Manor and Manor Wood schools.
Carr Manor school raised questions over why the installation was needed close to another existing mast.
EE said that mast was used by different mobile companies and could not accommodate another operator.
The planning report said staff at the school also questioned whether the mast would lead to road safety problems by distracting passing motorists.
EE said: “We have to be very careful and precise with our equipment when near junctions to avoid visibility splay issues associated with vehicles.”
In 2024 a mast proposed by the same company on nearby Stainbeck Lane was refused permission in a decision upheld at appeal.
The council said at the time: “Due to the proposed siting, the proposal would result in harm to all users of the highway by reason of poor forward visibility.”
Telecoms firm Cornerstone was also refused permission last July for a 17.5m pole near Chapel Allerton School on Harrogate Road.
EE said the latest site was proposed after mobile customers experienced poor data coverage.
Its report said: “This mast is to cover an extensive amount of customer complaints regarding coverage and capacity in this area, which results in dropped calls, delayed messages and poor to non-existent data usage at this area.”
Leeds City Council is considering the planning application, out for consultation until September 14.