15m Communications pole - any recourse once it has gone up?

[sussexoldspot]

We received a letter back in May to say that the primary school that backs onto our garden had applied for permission to erect a 15m pole for a flat-panel antenna (something to do with wireless intranet). Unfortunately, the day after this, I miscarried at 14 weeks and we just completely forgot all about it, as I suppose you would.

Got back from work on Friday to see it up and installed, right at the end of the garden - it's a big, solid 15m telegraph pole with another 10 feet of metal pole and a panel on the top of it. It totally dominates the garden, which is open at the end.

We looked online and the only thing we can see are assurances from the telecoms company and planning dept that the impact on surrounding properties would be absolutely minimal, because of screening from trees (?)

We've looked into the cost of screening trees and moving our large greenhouse - we'll also have to lose raised veggie beds. Do you think we've any recourse to financial help with this, or are we pretty much on our own? Thank you for any advice!

[missingtheaction]

Did they get planning consent for it? mobile phone masts can be erected for 6 months without consent, so it may have gone up under emergency planning rules so you still have time to object.

If they did get consent then does what has gone up match the application? this extra panel etc might be outside the application in which case you can challenge that too

If it's all legit, then find out who the mast belongs to and contact them. Don't be 'angry of wherever', be 'we didn't object because we were reassured there wouldn't be any impact, but if you visit our garden you will see that there is considerable impact. Be prepared to push very hard but remember that having the mast up and working is very valuable to them and they are vulnerable to bad pr.

[sussexoldspot]

That's exactly the advice I needed, missing - we'll do just that, thank you.

[hambler]

Bugger. So sorry about your miscarriage.
Def pursue this. Telecoms companies are NOT poor. They will want to keep you onside. Best of luck and I hope you get it screened or moved

[hambler]

as an aside and sort of to play Devils' advocate.
Is it so much of an eyesore that it would have put you off buying the house?
Or is it more about the CHANGE to the view when you look down the garden?
if it is about the change you will be surprised how quickly you get used to it.
We had a completely private garden till the neighbours extended upwards with 3 velux windows overlooking our garden.

The were completely legit - had all been passed before we bought the house . It really upset me for about 2 months.

Now I don't even notice.

[sussexoldspot]

Thanks for that, hambler - you are right, a few weeks later and it's a lot less obvious than it was.

We wrote as you suggested, missing - the council's project team are going to plant us some leylandii and move the greenhouse for us - blimey!