Mixed views on 5G telecomms tower
Twyford: Wokingham Borough Council refuses plan for second time
A second attempt to install a 20metre telecommunications pole in Twyford has been refused by Wokingham Borough Council.
A ‘prior approval submission’ was made on August 19 by mobile phone and internet providers EE and H3G, under their joint venture MBNL.
The proposed construction comprises six antenna apertures, four transmission dishes and five ground-based equipment cabinets, which would all be fenced in a ‘secure compound’ at Twyford Network Rail Substation, situated just off of Waltham Road.
MBNL’s aim is to create ‘better mobile connectivity to every part of the country’ and to improve coverage by bringing 5G to residents of Twyford and the surrounding areas.
Marcia Head, service manager, place and growth at Wokingham Borough Council, wrote to the mobile phone giants on
September 16 to refuse their application stating three major points.
These focused on how the pole would detract from the character and appearance of the area ‘by virtue of its excessive height, bulk, inappropriate siting and utilitarian appearance’.
Mrs Head also stated that the submission is against core strategy policies and the local and borough plans and that the applicants failed to mention how they would remove trees and care for
roots of surrounding trees which would remain.
Residents have been divided in opinion over the proposal. Some have welcomed the submission, pointing out that businesses (including those working from home) need better connectivity.
“The mobile connectivity will be an asset to Twyford and will improve the existing signals which are often poor,” said one commenter in favour of the application.
One of the objectors is Cllr Lindsay Ferris, ward member for Twyford and executive member for planning and local plan at Wokingham Borough Council.
In his email to Mrs Head on September 12, Cllr Ferris said that the submission suggests more of a ‘hub’ rather than a pole.
Cllr Ferris is also concerned the land borders Stanlake Meadow, one of Twyford’s green spaces where more than 100 trees have recently been planted.
Cllr Ferris also stated that the council must consider that:
“There will be need for many more of these mobile masts to enable the mobile companies to use the facility efficiently.
“The area is a semi-rural area and next to a designated green open space. These additional masts need to be taken into account when assessing this application.”
In the application, agent to MBNL, Nick Allan, of Dalcour Maclaren, pointed out that a second base station may also be proposed at King George V Recreation Ground, to the north of Twyford, but if the main mast were to be approved, subsequent masts around the village wouldn’t be required.
Mr Allan also pointed out that Twyford is currently served by a station that sits atop Interserve House, approximately 300m north of the application site.
However, this installation is soon to be decommissioned ‘for reasons beyond the operator’s control.’
Mr Allan continued in his report: “If no permanent, replacement installation is deployed prior to the decommissioning of the existing apparatus, then network coverage will be lost within the local area for the first time in over 17 years.”
Twyford Parish Council noted that it is ‘not in favour of this application due to it being unsightly, its proximity to a recreational ground and an area of redeveloped woodland’ but they did state that another site could be chosen, further away from Stanlake Meadow, as the council ‘acknowledges the advantages for better communication and any other recommendations to mitigate its visual affect would be greatly appreciated’.