A proposed new mobile phone mast could mean residents would have to "look directly onto street clutter", opponents have warned.

Concerns have been raised after a bid was made to the council for permission to build a new 15m high slim line monopole on Longworth Road, Horwich.

But Cllr Richard Silvester, who represents Horwich North East on the council, says residents are alarmed at the prospect of a pole like this being installed right outside their homes.

He said: “This application for a phone mast and the large equipment cabinets which would go along side it would all be directly opposite and adjacent to residential properties.

“These residents would have to look directly onto this street clutter, and I believe it would be detrimental to them and their outlook.

The Bolton News: The plans have now been put to Bolton CouncilThe plans have now been put to Bolton Council (Image: Hutchinson 3G UK Ltd)

“I have objected to such applications previously because of this reason and Bolton Council have also refused similar applications in such an urban residential setting because of this reason.”

The plan was first put before the council earlier this month on October 19.

If approved, the proposal will see the pole itself supporting six antennas built, with a wraparound equipment cabinet at its base, with two more equipment cabinets and an electric metre cabinet.

But Cllr Silvester says that there are other far more suitable locations for such masts nearby which would not mean having to place them near people’s homes.

The plans have emerged not long after similar proposals for a mast on Lee Lane, also in Horwich, were rejected after worries were aired about siting it in a heritage area and close to people’s homes and businesses.

In that case, the plans were refused by the council after councillors and residents raised these issues.

Cllr Silvester said: “I have always said and will continue to do so, that these mobile phone masts should be sited away from residential properties so that householders do not have to overlook them.

“It is possible to do and there is another site within the area that this mobile phone company have identified where the mast could be located instead.

“It is Bolton Council land and I am happy to work with the company to assist them on an alternative site if they wish.”

But the company behind the plan, CK Hutchinson Networks UK, has argued that masts like this will help improve mobile network coverage in Bolton.

A statement said: “This site will enable 5G coverage to be provided to this area of Bolton.

“The government recognises that widespread coverage of mobile connectivity is essential for people and businesses.

“That is why the government is committed to extending mobile geographical coverage further across the UK, with continuous mobile connectivity provided to all major roads and to being a world leader in 5G.

“This will allow everyone in the country to benefit from the economic advantages of widespread mobile coverage.”

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The plans for the new phone mast in Horwich will be open for neighbourhood consultations until November 10.

Bolton Council’s planning department will make a final decision after the deadline for consultations had passed.