Planners Turn Down Contentious Bid For 'Eyesore' 5G Mast

A contentious bid to build a 20-metre 5G mast in a “ridiculous position” has been turned down by Isle of Wight Council planners.

County Hall rejected Mobile Broadband Network Limited’s (MBNL) prior approval application for a proposed 20m monopole, supporting nine antenna apertures and two 0.3m dishes on land next to 1 Perowne Way, Sandown.

The refusal follows scores of objections against the proposal, including from county councillors Ian Ward and Paul Brading.

Opponents of the mast raised issues including ‘health risks’, the development constituting an ‘eyesore’, transparency and public engagement, the environment, the mast’s height and its proximity to neighbouring residential property.

Cllr Brading said:

“I cannot believe that anyone thinks it appropriate to consider putting a mast in such a ridiculous position, being so low down, when there are much higher and more appropriate sites in Sandown if needed.

“This is an area of outstanding natural beauty which a 20-metre monopole will not enhance, neither will the boxes sited below, and is of course within a conservation area.

“A resident consultation would have been appropriate but has never been carried out.”

A document included in MBNL’s application, ‘5G and Future Technology – Delivering the UK’s Telecoms Future’, says that though 5G telecommunications technology will ‘undoubtedly bring new opportunities and huge benefits’, there is a need for ‘new structures, antennas and ancillary equipment’.

It reads:

“It is estimated that 5G will directly contribute to an additional £7 billion a year to the UK economy in just six years from roll-out.

“In addition, 5G offers download speeds far in excess of what can be achieved today, even by fixed line broadband. Such increased speeds and low latency provide the potential for far greater opportunities.

“The internet and mobile connectivity rely upon the deployment of new fibre networks.

“Utilising these fibre networks allows each mobile base station to link back into the wider core network, however, the requirements in the future are for ubiquitous coverage and this will mean the more complex, more remote locations throughout the country will need further new installations.”

County Hall has not yet published a report explaining the refusal.