Town hall bosses have blocked a proposal to put a 65ft telecoms mast on the pavement outside Trafford General Hospital, opposite a row of shops.

A planning application for the pole, including six antennas, two transmission dishes and cabinets for electronics was submitted by Reading-based mobile infrastructure company Cornerstone. 

The equipment would have been installed on the pavement on Moorside Road.

But a report by planning officers said the most would "appear incongruous" because its height would be "significantly greater" than any nearby building.

It goes on: “This locality has a strong scene character which would be significantly disrupted and harmed by the visual intrusion of the proposed  20m (65ft) high pole.”

The report also stated that the pavement is relatively narrow at the point where the mast would be placed.

“Whilst the applicant has submitted a list of alternative sites that have been assessed and discounted, it is considered that it has not demonstrated that there are no alternative options that would have a less detrimental impact on the character and appearance of the area,” it said.

“The development would not respect the character and identity of the locality in terms of design, siting, size or scale.”

Under planning legislation introduced by the last government  local authorities are powerless to prevent mast being put up by telecoms companies if they are no higher than 50ft.

Objectors to the plan cited said the telecoms mast could impact the safety of motorists and pedestrians and that telecoms installations are "overbearing and unnerving".

They also said the google would be highly visible from the windows of the flats opposite. 

Health concerns of 5G technology were also voiced.

The report concludes: “The siting and appearance of the proposed development is unacceptable.”

It references national planning policy which says that telecommunications equipment should be "sympathetically designed and camouflaged where appropriate".

“The proposal would not achieve this and would be sited in a location with a highly open backdrop.”

Meanwhile, Trafford planning officers have also recommended the refusal of an application from NET and EE to replace four antennas with three others, externally mounted on the tower of the Grade II-listed St Margarets;s Church on Dunham Road in Altrincham.

The church is in the Devisdale Conservation Area.