A refused proposal to install a 20m 5G mast in a ‘ridiculous position’ in Sandown has been appealed.
Mobile Broadband Network Limited (MBNL) is contesting the rejection of its proposed 20m monopole, supporting 9 antenna apertures and 2x 0.3m dishes on land next to 1 Perowne Way, Sandown.
The prior approval application also included 6 ancillary cabinets.
County Hall refused it after receiving 59 objections from residents, with 2 Conservative county councillors, Ian Ward and Paul Brading, opposing the bid.
The mast’s critics 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.
Article continues below this advertisement “A resident consultation would have been appropriate but has never been carried out.”
The Isle of Wight Council’s reasons for the refusal included the application having a ‘serious adverse impact’ on the surrounding area’s character and the outlook and amenity of neighbouring residential properties and a lack of evidence to justify the development.
An Appeal Statement prepared by the Pegasus Group on behalf of MBNL said the plan was ‘precisely’ the sort of proposal that will create the ‘advanced’ and ‘high quality’ communications infrastructure vital for economic growth.
It said:
“The appellant believes that the siting and appearance of the proposal will not have a serious adverse impact on the character of the surrounding area given the context of the appeal site and that residential outlook and amenity would also be adequately preserved.
“The lower sections of the mast will be largely screened or camouflaged because of the verdant nature of the backdrop, being comprised of hedgerows and trees.
“Upper sections of the mast will be more visible albeit some views being partially screened by a 15m tree that forms the backdrop to the appeal site from views to the east and south.”
appeal ?, remember the saying “no” means no.
Councilors are so thick sometimes…
“ 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.”
Ever wondered why when you’re on the phone in the car (hands free of course) you run out of signal when you go through the dip.
So a total of 61 idiots and luddites who want to keep telephony in the dark ages override national guidelines.
Bradings assertion that “This is an area of outstanding natural beauty” takes the biscuit.
your the idiot following “national guide lines” got your jab did you
hardly dark ages is it , fool. set to profit from it are you?
Whether it wins its appeal is not for me to say but objecting on health grounds, these are the same people who object to x rays and CT scans as being harmful, perhaps you need to re -cover yourselves in tin foil, place a metal colander on your head and get back in your medievel caves.
they are harmful lol radiation ? …. why do you think the nurses / doctors leave the room which has lead lined walls. should be barnie the dinosaur your name as this seems to be your leave of education
As I understand it, 5G transmissions are less penetrating than 4G anyway so updating from 4G to 5G provision is a safety move. 5G will greaty enhance the Island mobile network just as fibre optics are increasing broadband width and speeds. Electronic communications are with us now and will be in the future so surely better to be in the vanguard of improvement than lagging behind as tail end Charlie.
Everyone wants a mobile phone, nobody wants a mast?
don’t complain if you guys who have objected don’t get a good phone signal only yourselves to blame