Anger over bid for ‘horrendous’ 18m phone mast
PROPOSED SITE IS WITHIN CITY CONSERVATION AREA
RESIDENTS have spoken out about plans for a “horrendous” 18m phone mast within a Nottingham conservation area.
Plans have been submitted to install the 5G telecoms pole on Castle Boulevard, which is within the Nottingham Canal Conservation Area near to Nottingham Castle, and next to the desirable Park Estate.
Retiree Chris O’neill, 69, who lives on Hope Drive, in The Park, said the mast would be in her “eyeline”.
“It’s a horrendous height. I believe it’s twice the size of the lampposts and we seem to have unusually high lamp posts here, so the thought of it being twice that is quite something,” she said.
“It seems a rather weird choice in the Conservation Area, you’d have thought they could have found somewhere different to put it. I would be able to see it from my lounge window, it would be right in my eyeline which isn’t good.
“There are two conservation areas affected, the Canal, and then it is next to The Park too, it is almost double offending.
“I know the Park Estate have had their own planning meeting about it but this is outside of their gate.
“You’d think there would be an area where it could fit more in with an urban setting. Castle Boulevard is picturesque too – there’s lot of trees and it is an attractive road, it’s more historical at this bottom end nearer to the Castle as well. And if you have a great big mast in your eyeline it’s not what people will want.”
Local residents have set up a petition against the plans, with the consultation period on the proposal to end on November 27.
Hilary Silvester, executive chair of the Nottingham Civic Society, would like the mast to be relocated elsewhere.
“We have objected to some of them, but with some of these telephone things you have to shrug your shoulders and say ‘oh dear.’ It will be an impact on the Conservation Area and I think anything that detracts from the appeal from an attractive street like Castle Boulevard, which apart from anything else is an entrance to the city, should be avoided,” Ms Silvester said.
“If it could be put elsewhere that would be a good idea, we would prefer that. They are not the best looking things, we understand they are a necessity but we feel its positioning and design should be thought out very carefully.”
Three said the proposed site is considered the best available compromise between extending 5G service across the target ‘coverage hole.’ They added the mast would boost the local economy by helping residents and businesses get faster and more reliable network coverage.
A Three spokesperson said: “Access to 5G has a vital role to play in boosting local economies, helping residents and businesses get faster and more reliable network coverage. This is why we’re working with the local council in Nottingham to roll out the UK’S fastest 5G network so that we can keep everyone connected both now and in the future.
“5G uses slightly shorter wavelengths than previous generations. As a result, they do not travel as far as 2, 3 and 4G wavelengths and cannot pass into buildings as easily. For these reasons, the 5G antennae need greater height than 2, 3 or 4G antennae.
“While we try to keep mast sites as unobtrusive as possible, they do need to be situated near to where people will be using the service and, in many cases, in precise locations to ensure the widest breadth of coverage.”
The planning application is pending consideration by Nottingham City Council.