Plans for new 5G mobile mast at Leeds leisure centre to prevent 'digital black spots'

A telecoms firm has warned of a lack of data coverage if plans to install a mobile mast at a Leeds leisure centre are not approved.

Cornerstone, working on behalf of mobile firms including Vodafone and Virgin, applied to install 5G equipment base at John Smeaton Leisure Centre.

The company said “digital black spots” could emerge if there were not enough mobile masts in the city.

Leeds City Council has been asked to approve a proposed lattice tower and equipment cabinets at the centre at Smeaton Approach in east Leeds.

Cornerstone’s planning report said there was a growing need for 5G installations outside of the city centre.

It said: “The current shift in user demand from city centres and places of work to residential areas and suburbs requires an improvement in coverage and capacity throughout the whole network.“

Without these ongoing improvements to connectivity, areas will become digital black spots where lack of connectivity prevents economic development, hinders local services and frustrates efforts to keep vulnerable members of the community healthy and safe.”

The proposed mast would be within a two-metre fenced compound to minimised its visual impact on the surrounding area.

Cornerstone said: “The fencing is required to provide a secure enclosure for the telecommunications equipment, preventing unauthorised access while maintaining operational safety.“

It is proposed that the fence be painted green to assimilate with the tree line.”

Households, businesses and the emergency services were in need of better 5G coverage, the report said,

It said: “It is essential for faster internet speeds, improved network reliability and reduced congestion, especially during peak hours.”

Last week an application by Cornerstone for a similar mast installation near Fearnville Leisure Centre in Gipton was refused.

Council planners said the Gipton mast proposal would be “visually intrusive”.

A prior approval planning application for the John Smeaton application is out for consultation until October 27.