Telecommunications mast to be built on land next to Culford Park, near Bury St Edmunds

A telecommunications mast is to be built on land next to a historic park.

Cornerstone has gained permission from West Suffolk Council for the installation on an undeveloped grassed area at The Triangle, in Culford, near Bury St Edmunds.

The application, registered last February, includes a 22.5 metre monopole supporting six antenna, two 300mm dishes with two equipment cabinets and ancillary development.

It would be in a conservation area and next to Culford Park, which is Grade II listed and serves the listed Culford Hall.

West Suffolk Council received 10 letters of representation, some repeated from the same address, with support for upgraded infrastructure and improved mobile phone coverage as well as being an acceptable location.

Objections cited the location and negative visual impact and the negative impact on the conservation area plus the flint wall and setting of the listed park.

A council report said there were no other existing telecommunications sites nearby or buildings/structures which would be suitable.

The mast would be partially concealed by trees to the west of the site and there are no residential properties within the immediate vicinity of the development, it said.

The conservation officer said the mast would be sufficiently distanced and largely screened by intervening development and vegetation so as not to adversely affect the setting of the hall.