A BENFLEET water tower could end up being even more festooned in satellite dishes if a planning inspector over-rules Castle Point Council.

The tower in Benfleet Road, Grade II listed tower, has been used by telecoms companies for years to site masts and dishes and has been the subject of nine planning applications in the past three years.

Castle Point Council refused Tower Communications’ to add two satellite dishes and associated equipment in May, arguing the structure was already cluttered and should not have any more masts added.

The company has now lodged an appeal to the Government planning inspectorate.

Wendy Goodwin, councillor for Boyce ward, said: “I would be happy for them to put new dishes on there, but only if they were to take off something which is there at the moment.

“It shouldn’t just be allowed to become a cluttered area. If something goes up, then something else needs to come down.

“If they are using more high-powered equipment, then surely there must be some less useful stuff up there which could come off.

“The tower is visible from a wide area and it should not just become cluttered.”

Councillors refused the application in May, after getting a report from planning officers, which said: “The existing tower isaprominent feature in the landscape.

“The proposed new microwave dish antennas would represent new items of telecommunications infrastructure, which would add to ‘clutter’ on the tower.”

However, Tower Communications claims a “considerable amount of equipment” has already been removed from the tower.

Its planning agent Damian Hosker said: “The applicant appreciates Benfleet water tower isaGrade II listed building and understands the national and historical importance of the building.

“However, it is an established telecoms site and upgrades and new equipment have to be assessed on a scheme-by-scheme basis.

“A ‘blanket ban’ on any new equipment is contrary to the principles of the national planning policy framework, which advocates the sharing of base stations.”

Comments and statements on the issue need to be sent to the Planning Inspectorate by October 27.