An 80ft high police communications mast erected on the edge of a conservation area has sparked anger among residents.
A communications mast standing 25 metres tall has been erected at the former Accrington Police vehicle maintenance unit, on Grange Lane in Accrington.
Police say the mast is necessary to secure data and telecoms services and said no objections were received when the development was advertised.
But residents have branded the mast, located on the boundary of the Christ Church and Accrington town centre conservation areas, an ‘eyesore’.
Ali Holmes, of Russell Street, said it was a “blot on the landscape.”
She said: “I live two streets away - it’s an absolute eyesore. Every time I open the door this monstrosity is right there in my face. You can’t put solar panels on your roof because of the conservation area, but you can put up that eyesore in bright white galvanised steel.
“It can be seen from a lot of areas in Accrington. It’s not in keeping with this area at all.”
John Brooks, of Wellington Terrace, objected to the council after the erection of the mast.
In the complaint he said: “This tower is ridiculously tall - towering above all other buildings and directly obscuring the view from my house as it is directly in front.
“This structure is way higher than any of the buildings around it and should be removed immediately. It is in a totally unsuitable location.”
A Lancashire Constabulary spokesman said: “The mast is needed to provide secure data and telecoms services. When the plans were submitted a neighbour consultation was carried out, a notice was put in the local press and two sites notices were put up. No comments were received.
“The local authority’s Conservation Officer was also consulted and raised no objection.”
The planning design and access statement stated the proposal would have “no impact on the Conservation area” and no environmental health issues were identified because of a low level of radio transmission.
It adds: “This scheme has been developed following a request to re-utilise and refurbish existing accommodation, to improve the service to the public and to meet the demands and requirements of operational policing.”
The garage buildings, which will be retained by the police service after they have moved to new premises on Broadway later this year, have undergone refurbishment to the doors, windows and railings.
Hyndburn council states that no other antennas or ‘communication apparatus’ can be erected on the mast without separate planning application approval.
