AN ‘ugly’ phone mast planned for an iconic building in the heart of Stroud would be a ‘blight on the landscape’, say objectors.

Telecoms company Cellnex UK has submitted a planning application to install a 15 metre pole on the roof of the art deco Silver Rooms building at The Cross in Nelson Street.

However, so far around 40 people have objected with some describing the proposed mast as ‘ugly’ and as an ‘eyesore’ which would ‘tower above’ the high street.

The proposed scheme submitted to Stroud District Council includes erecting a one tri-sector antenna, two equipment cabinets and a GPS node with other apparatus.

According to the application, the mast would replace an existing pole and equipment already installed on the roof.

Cellnex says the new mast would be wider and provide an improved 2G, 3G and 4G service for Three UK and EE customers.

The iconic art deco building - which was formerly the Stroud Co-operative department store - was originally built more than nine decades ago in 1931.

The site is also currently home to launderette Soap N Suds and café Hristo’s kitchen.

One objector said: “The Silver Rooms is an iconic art deco building and the existing mast is already spoiling it.”

Another comment reads: “This area is of historical interest and the mast will be an eyesore and blight on the landscape, towering above Stroud High Street.”

Another opponent said: “The Nelson Street area is architecturally very valuable for Stroud - including listed buildings along Nelson Street; with the Silver Rooms being an iconic art deco building, which are now pretty rare around the country.

“The existing mast is already a serious blight and does the area down.”

However, Cellnex says its proposal is the ‘least visually intrusive option’ available.

A planning document reads: “The proposal is for the upgrading of an existing electronic communications base station on the rooftop of The Cross, Nelson Street.

“The building currently hosts an existing flagpole type mobile communication mast, on the north west frontage of the building, set back and fixed to the rear of the upper roof wall.

“There are also various existing supporting equipment cabinets at rooftop level.

“This will be replaced with a slightly thicker flagpole like communication mast, not dissimilar to that which is existing.

“The purpose of the replacement structure is to facilitate essential new enhanced network coverage and improved service to businesses and residents within the immediate area.

“The applicant would like to stress that it is imperative that communications are not only maintained but also improved to ensure capacity and real time data is at the forefront.

“It is considered that the least visually intrusive solution has been put forward via the upgrading of an existing site with a very similar installation, rather than the introduction of an entirely new ground-based installation or a larger stub tower on the same rooftop.

“The building benefits from being an established telecommunications site that has been a well-established feature of the area for many years.”

View the application quoting S.24/1123/FUL or go to tinyurl.com/u9n7cw9p

An artist's impression of the proposed phone mast - photo by Cellnex UK (Image: Cellnex UK)

Plans have been submitted to install a new wider phone mast on the roof of The Silver Rooms - above (proposed), below (existing) (Image: Cellnex UK)