Telecoms company Sure has had its planning application for a 15-metre 5G mast on Woodbourne Lane turned down.

It had been intended to be placed in a part of Douglas listed as a conservation area, which meant initially it could not be allowed as a permitted development.

Douglas central MHK Chris Thomas welcomed the decision, having been opposed to the placing of masts in ’sensitive landscapes’, instead being in favour of encouraging mast sharing by operators and the rollout of home fibre.

Residents also protested against the plans last year.

Sure is actively pursuing permitted development masts as part of its expansion of 5G coverage for mobile phones, and has been conducting a trial of the technology in Douglas, with £1m invested already.