‘Diabolical’ Anger as 5G mast put up without warning
FURIOUS residents of two streets in Ashton are demanding answers from Bristol City Council after a massive 5G phone mast was put up close to their homes without warning.
Engineers began preparing the ground behind the South Bristol Retail Park last Monday, November 23, and a large crane arrived in the middle of the week.
But it wasn’t until Friday that the full height of the phone mast was revealed.
It towers over the back gardens of Smyth Road and Gerald Road in Ashton, with many saying their views have been ruined.
And it has emerged the firm that erected the mast did not submit a planning application, let alone get permission for the structure.
Residents fear the company behind the structure is using new permitted development rights, although it is not yet clear if the Government have now given mobile phone companies the right to put up tall masts without asking for permission.
The area’s two local councillors said they were urgently asking questions of the council planning officers to find out what can be done about the mast, which is in the rear service yard of the B&M Bargains store in the retail park.
One resident said workmen erecting the mast said they were working for a company called Waldon Communications, erecting the mast on behalf of mobile phone giant EE.
People living next to the mast said they can’t fathom how it has been allowed to be erected without anyone informing them.
Ann Hathway, 83, who has lived in Gerald Road for 41 years, said: “It’s diabolical. I didn’t realise it was going to be that high. We haven’t heard a thing about it.”
The mast is on the inside corner of the back gardens of two streets.
In Smyth Road, Hannah Reeve said she was stunned when she saw it at the end of her garden.
“We noticed the crane and things being lifted up the day before. I came in the garden yesterday.
“We have a builder in, who said: ‘You know that there? That’s devalued your house by 25 per cent.’
“I’m worried about the health concerns – it is so close to all our houses.
“To not tell anyone you’re putting such a tall thing at the end of so many gardens is shocking. Why didn’t they just put it on the stadium roof?”
Councillor Mark Bradshaw said lots of people had contacted him about it.
“As councillors, we are sent details and plans about masts – relocated, renewed or brand new – for any comments in advance of installation, but that doesn’t seem to have been the case for this one,” he said.
“We’re urgently asking Bristol City Council to clarify what is permitted within legislation and whether the processes have been adhered to.”
Fellow Bedminster councillor Celia Phipps said she had many questions to ask the council and the mobile phone company.
“Why was this site chosen?” she said. “What were the options, and why don’t they need permission?”
In July, the Government announced it would relax the laws on phone companies requiring planning permission to erect phone masts in a bid to speed up the process to get better phone coverage across the country.
The Government’s announcement in July appeared to indicate that masts up to 25 metres high did not need to get planning permission, but the Government’s consultation response indicated that this was a suggestion by the mobile phone companies themselves.
It is also unclear if the Government’s announcement has been converted into actual law yet, or whether ministers can change legal planning frameworks by simply announcing they are being changed.
The Post has approached Bristol City Council for an update and is awaiting a response from EE.