Plans for an 18-metre high 5G phone mast to be installed in Street High Street have been refused by Mendip District Council.

A planning application for prior approval of telecommunications development for a street pole with built-in cabinet, three separate cabinets and ancillary works on land at Street High Street had been submitted by the mobile network Three.

The proposed location of the mast was on the wide section of pavement, next to the Mullions No. 51 hotel.

Three said the site has been selected for a number of reasons, including the presence of existing street furniture including streetlights and equipment cabinets, and the setting against open grassland and the proximity to nearby trees, including a tall, mature tree that sits directly opposite the site, which the applicant said should provide some degree of screening.

In the application, Three said that the cell search range for 5G is very limited, with a typical cell radius of 50 metres.

A number of other sites had been looked at by Three and discounted, in Wilfrid Road, further up the High Street, in Hindhayes Lane and Leigh Road.

Using existing mast infrastructure in the village was also discounted, as Three says it is not capable of hosting additional equipment.

However, in refusing the proposals, the planning officer's report said: "It is considered that the applicant has not adequately explored and ruled out the possibility of erecting antennas on an existing mast, building or other structure as a first means of delivery.

"In addition, the siting and appearance is considered to have a detrimental impact on the visual character of the conservation area and street scene.

"While this harm may be outweighed by the public benefit of greater 5G coverage, there's insufficient justification that other, less harmful, site options have been fully explored.

"Therefore, the same public benefit may also be achievable without harm to the conservation area."

Certain forms of telecommunication development, including mobile telephone masts, are known as "permitted development" and subject to prior approval from the local planning authority, rather than a full planning application.

The prior approval procedure means that before beginning the development the developer must apply to the authority for a determination as to whether the prior approval of the authority will be required as to the siting and appearance of the development.

The local planning authority has 56 days in which to let the mast operators know of its decision on whether prior approval is required for siting and appearance, and to let the operator know of its decision to allow or refuse approval.

In this case it has been refused, but by being classed as permitted development, the applicant can alter the plans in terms of appearance of the mast or where it might be sited, and apply for prior approval again.

One planning application in the Street area has been submitted this week:

Erection of single-storey garden room with balcony above on west elevation, single-storey extension on east elevation and fenestration at Bethel Cottage, Barton Road, Butleigh, has been applied for by Mr Ben Gross.

Planning applications in the Street area that have been decided this week include:

Application for approval of details reserved by conditions 13 (Ecological Management Plan), 14 (Tree Protection), 19 (Construction Access and Parking Scheme), 21 (Existing and Proposed Ground Levels), 22 (Surface Water), 38 (Method Statement) in respect of Phases 5 (road) and 6A (retail) only on planning consent 2018/0339/VRC at Street Business Park, Gravenchon Way, Street, by Canynge Bicknell (Street) Ltd has been approved.

Erection of a single-storey extension to the rear (north) elevation on site of existing conservatory to be demolished and to raise the height of existing first floor to the side (west) elevation at 22 Ridgeway, Ashcott, by Mr and Mrs Mullet has been approved.

Erection of a conservatory/lounge and conversion of "cloisters" to office accommodation at Avalon Priory, Priory Road, Chilton Polden, by Dr Banks has been refused.

Extensions to existing agricultural building to cover feed yards at land to the east of Green Drove, Burtle, by Ponsillo and Sons have been approved.