Icon Tower Infrastructure Ltd’s plan for 12m comms tower near Gang Warily in Fawley rejected by NFDC

PLANS to build a “stark and intrusive” telecommunications tower in a Fawley field have been rejected by councillors.

Manchester based lettings firm Icon Tower Infrastructure wanted NFDC’s permission to build a 12m “lattice” tower in a field opposite Gang Warily Recreation Ground.

The proposed telecomms “base station” would support 12 antennas on two headframes alongside six ground base cabinets and other structures in a fenced compound.

NFDC planning chiefs rejected the proposal after receiving a report from an officer which said: “As a result of its significant height, bulky appearance and prominent siting in an open location forming defined open space, the proposed telecommunications apparatus would be stark and intrusive within the surrounding wider context, and would therefore be detrimental to the character and visual amenity of the area.”

The report continued: “The local planning authority is not satisfied the need for additional telecommunications infrastructure within the area could not be met in a more visually sympathetic and appropriate manner.”