CREWE councillors claim plans for a 5G communications mast on a busy town road will ruin the view for residents and detract from future town centre regeneration.

Hutchison 3G UK Ltd says its 50-metre high antennae will help provide new 5G coverage in the town centre and boost existing 4G capacity, helping to draw new businesses into Crewe.

It is to be placed on a pavement near to the junction of Edleston Road and High Street with architect's plans showing how it will tower over shops and the office block at Breedon House.

Councillors believe there are better locations for the mast, which is three times as high as the adjacent shop units. They are also concerned it will effect the amenity when future plans for town centre living are developed in the area.

Cllr John Rhodes said: "I'm quite incensed about this. Some people get turned on by 5G, but this mast is quite tall and it will have a number of cabinets next to Breedon House.

"There are ambitious plans and there is a lot of work going on to improve Edleston Road, High Street and the access into the town centre. We've got a number of people living in flats behind it and there's going to be a lot of people living there."

Cllr Janos Toth added: "I'm not saying 5G masts pose any dangers but they have an environmental impact for people living nearby.

"I don't think it's in the right place, although I do get slightly turned on by 5G. We do need increased communication speeds and reliability as that is important for Crewe."

The telecomms company claims there will be a "minimal visual impact" on the surrounding area because Breedon House is a three-storey building, while trees in the immediate area will provide screening.

Alternative sites were mooted for the antennae, including Mill Street, the Oak Street car park and on top of the nearby Christadelphian Hall. The latter was ruled out because the church roof is not tall enough.

But Crewe town councillors insist sites close by are better suited for a development of such a scale, including Oak Street car park.

The council's planning committee agreed to "strongly object" to the plans which are due to be considered by Cheshire East Council, on the grounds of scale, impact on amenity and public realm encroachment, as well as its potential effects on town centre regeneration and active travel.