One of Edgar Street's iconic floodlight pylons will be brought back into use - but not to light football matches.
With the demolition of the Blackfriars End to pave the way for student accommodation, which has since been shelved by Herefordshire Council, EE and 3 were given notice to quit - meaning their mobile phone masts on top of the 30-metre pylon would need to be moved.
So the firms submitted plans to Herefordshire Council to relocate the equipment from the floodlight between the Blackfriars End and Merton Stand to the one between the Meadow End and Len Weston.
Those plans have since been given the green light by council planners, meaning the pylons will have a new use despite having no lights with the new 21-metre masts now installed.
A raft of concerns were raised as part of the public consultation process, with 25 objections. Concerns included a lack of assessment on health and radiation concerns, harm to amenity, an inappropriate location, unnecessary additional clutter, inappropriate siting and appearance, lack of public liability insurance, lack of public consultation, lack of risk assessment and safety proof and harm to highway safety.
Harm to heritage assets, the proposal not providing for biodiversity net gain, sustainability, climate or carbon targets, procedural issues, and Loss of value of property
There were, however, seven letters of support which mentioned general support for the proposals, the fact it would help emergency service networks, the masts not bein intrusive, improved phone signal, and how the proposal is effectively just re-locating existing infrastructure.
Planning officer Josh Bailey said in his report that te need for telecommunications equipment on the existing floodlight tower stems from the applicant having been issued with a notice to quit on their existing site and thus this new equipment is required to maintain coverage.
"The existing notice to quit concerns the floodlight tower at the opposite corner at the football club," he added.
"The council are looking to re-development the former Blackfriars End and are seeking to regain vacant possession of the area where the existing equipment is located. The site is required to provide new 5G coverage in order to improve coverage in Hereford.
"The cell search areas for 5G are extremely constrained with a typical cell radius of approximately 250 metres meaning that it would not be feasible to site the column outside of this locale.
"The installation of this replacement telecommunications equipment within this area of Hereford, is essential to ensure continued provision and to meet the growing demand for reliable and high-speed communication services.
"The proposed mast will also enhance mobile network coverage, ensuring that residents have continued and improved access to seamless and efficient communication services. This connectivity is not only crucial for personal communication but also plays a vital role in supporting businesses, education, and emergency services within the community."
A freedom of information request by Bulls News last year revealed Herefordshire Council had earned £162,516 from telecommunications companies with equipment on the floodlight pylons at Edgar Street Athletic Ground between 2014 and part way through 2024.
All equipment had been on the Blackfriars End floodlights which were not leased to the club.