5G mast given the go-ahead despite concerns
DISAPPOINTMENT AFTER LOCAL RULING OVERTURNED
A 5G phone mast has been given the green light in Braunstone Town following an appeal amid concerns over its location.
The 15-metre-high pole and three cabinets will be sited at Turnbull Drive after CK Hutchinson Networks appealed Blaby District Council’s refusal of the application.
The local authority, along with residents in the area, feared the mast would pose a danger to pedestrians and road users and rejected the planning application in September last year.
The equipment is set to be installed on a grass verge between two busy road junctions – Turnbull Drive and the Kingsway – where the council felt it would cause visibility problems for drivers and an obstacle for pedestrians.
However, the government planning inspector disagreed with Blaby District Council’s decision and granted permission this month for the work to take place.
The mast would be far enough away from any junctions for it to interfere with visibility, planning inspector Andrew Smith said in his decision report.
There was also no clear evidence to suggest the equipment’s installathe tion or later maintenance would impact highways safety, he added.
The footpath is wide and in good condition, the report continued, and any occasion where “free-flowing pedestrian movements along the footpath could be hindered” would be “realistically rare”.
In those cases, people could use the path running parallel to it. The equipment would not impact pedestrian safety, he deemed.
The council received 31 objections when it was considering the original application and a petition was later formed against its installation.
The petition read: “The siting of the mast is such that drivers [would not be able to] see traffic approaching the island and [would] have to edge out before being able to see if the road is clear to proceed.
“The new mast [would be] on a bus route which is bad enough at times when two buses try to cross each other. Drivers and pedestrians will have their visibility greatly reduced because of this mast and boxes.”
The petition also raised concerns about the proximity of the site to schools and children’s play areas.
It said this could cause a health risk due to electromagnetic radiation. A document submitted with planning application said the mast is “designed to be in full compliance with the requirements of the radio frequency public exposure guidelines of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection”.
County councillor Amanda Hack, as part of a letter to the council, said: “This mast in its location will be a real barrier to visibility for cyclists using the Kingsway carriageway closest to Turnbull Drive when they are due to cross this junction.
“I would be really upset if this mast stops cyclists feeling safe at this junction.”
Following the appeal decision, Councillor Ben Taylor said: “As a council we cannot question the need for telecommunications, planning permission is not required as it falls within permitted development rights, but operators are required to seek prior approval from the council on site location and appearance.
“The district council recognises the need for 5G across the country but there has been strong opposition to the siting due to highway and pedestrian safety.
“This is a very busy road and it is a risky place to put the mast and cabinets. Safety of our communities should come first and so we are extremely disappointed with the result.”