By Andrew Topping, Local Democracy Reporter
An 18-metre-high 5G phone mast could be turned down by councillors in Mansfield over fears it would pose an “overly-dominant” threat to the area’s character.
Plans for the mast, on the A60 Nottingham Road into the town, south of the junction with Forest Road, were submitted to the district council by telecommunications company CK Hutchinson Networks earlier this year.
The company is working alongside network provider Three to boost 5G coverage in the Nottinghamshire town, saying there is an “acute need” for a new mast due to “limited” coverage.
It believes the new mast, accompanied by a base station to power the 5G coverage, is the “minimum required” to bring a good-quality internet signal to the town’s residents.
And it says the development will have no “detrimental” impact on the town with its equipment reduced to its “minimum size”.
Statements from the company said: “[The] new mast would assimilate well into the immediate street scene and not be detrimental.
“The design of the proposed antenna and ground-based cabinets is considered to be the least visually intrusive option available.
“Whilst it is accepted that there will be a localised visual increase through the installation of additional apparatus, it is considered that this will not overly detract from the character of the existing streetscape.”
The company adds its work follows Government plans to speed up 5G roll-out across the country.
However, 18 letters of objection have been submitted to Mansfield Council with concerns about the 5G mast.
Concerns include the impact of 5G on human health and potential public exposure, as well as its closeness to High Oakham Primary School and the nearby Smarties Nursery.
Other concerns involved a potential “negative visual impact” on the town and suggestions it would be better suited near or behind the Odeon Cinema nearby.
The council’s planning department agreed with some of these objections, including the potential impact on the character of the area.
And while the authority says there are clear economic and social benefits connected to the development, including providing “high-quality communications infrastructure”, the department does not support the plan.
Councillors sitting on the August 30 planning committee will be recommended to turn down the application.
A spokesperson for the council’s planning department said: “The 18-metre high monopole would materially harm the visual amenity of the locality by virtue of its excessive height, inappropriate siting and unsympathetic design.
“It would form an overly dominant feature in the street scene that would result in harm to the character and appearance of the area.”
The UK Health Security Agency monitors evidence relating to 5G mast technology.
Its advice on the new network says: “It is possible that there may be a small increase in overall exposure to radio waves when 5G is added to an existing network or in a new area.
“However, the overall exposure is expected to remain low relative to guidelines and, as such, there should be no consequences for public health.”
