Sefton Council has told companies putting up mobile phone masts to stop “confusing” residents.
The comments came from Derek McKenzie, who blasted “unintelligible” and “opaque” papers submitted as part of planning applications.
In a statement released by Sefton Council, it said Mr McKenzie’s remarks came following concerns raised by councillors and residents over the language used by companies looking for permission to erect phone masts and equipment in the borough.
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It adds: “Mr McKenzie said that members of the public can often find the language telecoms providers use when consulting with communities about what can be sensitive changes in their area to be ‘confusing’ and ‘opaque’.
“The concern is that this type of language can discourage people from providing valuable feedback.”
The council said that several operators have responded to the request for more clarity to say they are “keen to improve how they communicate.”
Last week, one application for a 5G mast outside a Crosby primary school was refused amid claims by parents that the timing of the application, just as school was breaking for the summer holidays, reduced effective consultation.
That application was ultimately rejected due to the mast's location and appearance at a meeting of the council’s planning committee held at Bootle Town Hall on September 21.
Referring to the wider issue of mast installation, Sefton Council’s cabinet member for planning, Cllr Daren Veidman said: “We recognise that there are members of our community who find the siting of telecommunications masts both concerning and controversial.
“Yet, unintelligible language used in communications with local residents and organisations, does nothing to encourage feedback or open discussion.”
Terms including ‘monopole’, ‘furniture style’, ‘GRP shroud’, ‘antennas’ and ‘cabinets’ were specifically noted as “meaningless for most people” by the cabinet member.
Cllr Veidman said: “The irony is not lost on us that a telecommunications operator needs to get better at the way they communicate.”
He added: “When considering such proposals, Sefton Council’s Planning Committee follows national and international guidelines.
“However, the way in which telecoms companies consult with both the Local Authority and members of the community prior to the submission of a planning application needs to be clear and concise.
“Recently a Councillor, having received a consultation about a replacement mast which was Permitted Development, wrote to the Chief Planning Officer and me asking : “What do these documents mean? I cannot decipher what they are about and how I should interpret for residents?”
He added that failure to ensure documents were intelligible means they “clearly fail at the first hurdle”.
The councillor said the companies “need to work much harder to engage and consult effectively with local communities”, adding that he was “pleased” so far with the response and is keen to work in a “constructive manner” going forward.
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