Recently been through this myself although the proposed 20m mast was going to be opposite my house. It would have been an absolute eyesore in a lovely, open and green residential road, significantly changing the feel of the area, and devaluing my house and many others.
It’s all very well people asking if you use your mobile phone and saying it has to go somewhere, when it doesn’t impact them at all. You have every right to be concerned and to object. Has anyone asked you if you want 5G in the first place?
These operators are absolutely desperate for sites. They do hardly any due diligence, submit inaccurate and misleading applications and pay no attention to local planning guidelines which they are supposed to follow. They are looking for cheap Council land (grass verges) so they do not have to pay rent to put these in industrial or semi-industrial areas (i.e. on top of supermarkets). Only residents living within 100m of a proposed mast in my area are notified even though a 20m mast towers over a much wider area. So let’s hope those who replied earlier do not live 101m from a nice wide grass verge, as one day soon they may discover for themselves that you DEFINITELY DO notice a 20m mast, with 2m high cabinets.
I knew nothing about 5G masts a month ago, and I am horrified by how this process works, how much power these operators have, and what our towns will soon look like.
When objecting, the planning office will discount any comments regarding the value of your house or health concerns. You can still mention these in your letter but you should also mention at least one of the following:
- visual amenity of local area - how much will the mast stand out? How tall are neighbouring properties and nearby street furniture? The applicants will likely claim it is of similar proportions but check with Highways. Residential streetlights are 6-8m tall.
- screening - are there 20m trees and bushes that would provide any screening for the mast? Are these privately owned (i.e. the owner could choose to take them down), TPO or under Council control? If tall trees, are they evergreen or will they only provide screening for five months of the year?
- road safety - will the mast and cabinets block visibility or cause a distraction / danger to motorists, pedestrians or cyclists?
- impact on local wildlife - sad that concerns for our own health don’t matter but impact on bats/bees/birds is something the Council will take into account.
Every adult in your household should submit a separate objection. Read the application and highlight any information that is untrue or misleading. Also do not believe claims about the proposed location being the only option - it’s simply not true.
If you submitted an application for a huge extension that was even vaguely out of keeping with houses in your local area, it would be rejected. If you wanted to put a 2m fence or wall along your boundary, you would not be allowed. Why should a mobile operator who has probably visited your area once for a site survey be treated differently?