EE seeks permission for new 5G equipment on historic Leeds City Centre hotel roof

Mobile phone signals could be boosted if the council agrees to an upgrade of telecoms equipment on top of a historic hotel building.

EE Ltd has applied to Leeds City Council to install new 5G antennas on the roof of the city centre Marriott Hotel.

Planning permission and listed building consent are required for the proposal, which EE said was needed to maintain data coverage.

A planning report said the hotel was within Grade II and Grade II*-listed buildings on Trevelyan Square, off Boar Lane and part of the City Centre Conservation area.

It said: “As such the applicant has sought to preserve the character and setting of the surrounding area as far as practicable within the parameters of technical constraints.”

EE’s report said digital upgrades would maintain communications for business, public services and in people’s every day lives.

Existing equipment on the building would be replaced with two five-metre high “alpha flagpole antennas”.

EE said: “In today’s society the utility provisions for digital communications are an integral part of everyday life as it facilitates a variety of tasks such as phone calls, access to the internet, map navigation, video and music streaming, gaming, online banking and e-commerce.

“Virtual meetings can also be held with doctors, banking advisors, colleagues and other entities, which have proved necessary as a result of the global pandemic.”

The planning application is out for consultation until November 12.

The report said: “The site will form part of an improved coverage network to allow for faster download speeds and better signal.

“A requirement for improved network coverage has been identified in this area.

“This is an upgrade of an existing site which will provide essential services for residents and businesses within the immediate vicinity.”

EE Ltd was formed in 2010 as a merger between T-Mobile UK and Orange and has since become a subsidiary of BT Group.