A 65-FOOT-tall telecommunications tower proposed for Gwytherin farmland could improve rural mobile connections and is set to be discussed by councillors next week – after a councillor called in the matter.

Cornerstone Telecommunications Infrastructure Ltd has applied to Conwy County Council, seeking planning permission for the 20-metre-high lattice tower at Merddyn Farm, Gwytherin, Abergele.

Both mobile phone coverage and internet connectivity are poor in Gwytherin, and both locals and the community council backed the plans for the mast.

But a previous application was withdrawn after council officers objected to the plans before Cllr Austin Roberts called-in their delegated decision for debate.

“The reception in Gwytherin is very, very poor,” said Cllr Roberts.

“This application was put in before and was withdrawn because the officer was going to recommend refusal because the mast was too obvious.

“A lot of people in Gwtherin were unhappy about it. The community council was unhappy, and as the local councillor, I can call things in if an officer’s recommendation is for refusal.

“I do understand that the company has put in some new ideas about masking it (the mast), so I’m hoping the officer recommendation will change, and therefore it won’t have to go to committee.”

He added: “It is needed in the area. The phone reception and the internet connection are very poor, so anything that will help with better connectivity in the area is welcome. I don’t know of anybody who is objecting to it. All I’ve had is people and the community council wanting this.”

If it gets the go-ahead, the 4G tower will include three antennas, two transmission dishes, two equipment cabinets, a GPS module, a generator and associated fuel tank, access track, remote radio units, and a 1.8m-fenced compound.

The mast would be situated in an elevated position on agricultural land 380m to the east of Merddyn Farm and 1.7KM to the south of Gwytherin village, 25m from the Hiraethog Special Landscape Area.

If councillors grant permission, the tower will be made from galvanised steel and encircled by a 1.8m-high welded mesh compound fence topped with three strands of barbed wire.

The matter will be discussed at Conwy’s planning committee meeting at Bodlondeb on Wednesday.