A huge mast on a residential street in Heywood has been taken down following a two-year-long between residents and a telecoms company.
A huge mast on a residential street in Heywood has been taken down following a two-year-long battle between residents and a telecoms company.
In September 2023, Nick Bowling returned from holiday to discover IX Wireless had erected a huge 15m mast outside his house. Since then he has been battling to have it removed.
The mast was said to have helped boost internet and mobile connectivity in the area. But locals – and the council – said they felt the location on Snowden Street was ‘unsightly’.
Nick contacted ward councillor Peter Hodgkinson for help, before the town hall and MP Elsie Blundell got involved. It eventually led to an enforcement notice being issued, meaning IX Wireless had to take down the mast.
The telecoms company lodged an appeal with the planning inspectorate, but has since withdrawn it. It could mean the end of the mast for good.
Nick said: “It has been quite a long and painful process as initially we were told ‘they are allowed to put them up and there is nothing we can do about it’. I wasn’t getting anywhere and so I arranged a meeting with Coun Peter Hodgkinson.
“He was absolutely fantastic. He came to my house and couldn’t believe what he was seeing. This led to the council looking into it and getting the enforcement.
“I’m still in a state of shock because it’s actually happened – it has been a bit of a rollercoaster. I am thrilled because I can sit in my back garden and look at the sunset without my view being obstructed by the huge mast.”
The council hopes it will be able to use the method if there are problems with other masts in the future. Town hall bosses say they want better connectivity, but that masts must be in reasonable locations and erected following thorough consultation with residents.
Coun Neil Emmott, leader of the council, said: “We’re delighted that this unsightly mast in Heywood has been removed.
“We’re very aware of the impact these masts have had on our communities and share our residents’ obvious concerns about their unsightly appearance.
“That’s why we have invested considerable time and resources into tackling this issue, including contacting Ofcom and issuing a planning enforcement notice. We’re aware that there are other masts in the borough which are also causing issues for residents and we are also seeking their removal.
“The removal of the mast in Heywood is a step in the right direction and we are engaged in ongoing discussions with IX wireless to build on this and get the right result for affected residents in all parts of the borough.
“We are acutely aware of how essential good internet access is and that’s why we introduced our award-winning mesh network to tackle digital exclusion. We’ve already connected more than 1,500 people to this free civic Wifi and it is helping to transform lives.
“That’s why we know that excellent internet access can be achieved without the need for unsightly masts of the kind which IX wireless have brought into our borough.”
MP for Heywood and Middleton North, Elsie Blundell, added: “We all rely on a quality mobile signal, but this can’t be at the expense of the quality of our neighbourhoods.
“I’m pleased to see IX Wireless changing course and removing this mast.”
IX Wireless did not respond to a request for comment.
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