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Spalding 5G mast plans slammed in planning debate




Plans for two 5G mobile phone masts in Spalding were thrown out by councillors - who questioned why the structures need to be near residents’ homes.

South Holland District Council’s planning committee rejected proposals from Three to put up masts in Wygate Park and Birch Grove, off Matmore Gate, in its meeting on Wednesday.

Members first debated plans for a 20 metre (65 foot) mast on the corner of Wygate Park and Claudette Avenue and agreed with officers that it would be an “unduly dominant, obtrusive and alien feature within the street scene”.

Concerned residents met with Coun Angela Newton (third from left) over plans for a 5G mast to be erected at the top of Claudette Avenue, Spalding (45135135)
Concerned residents met with Coun Angela Newton (third from left) over plans for a 5G mast to be erected at the top of Claudette Avenue, Spalding (45135135)

Councillors questioned why the masts could not be placed in more industrial areas – away from peoples’ properties – and suggested they could be incorporated in the works for the new Spalding Relief Road or on buildings such as the fire station or hospital.

Coun Roger Gambba-Jones said: “I am not against the 5G network coming to south Lincolnshire or Spalding in principle. Our area and our district are too often at the back of the queue when it comes to updating and improving the infrastructure

“However, in the case of this particular application, the applicant seems to have shown little regard for the impact the development would have on the residents.”

Coun Gambba-Jones criticised the “slightly sloppy” planning documents, which were missing information councillors wanted to see and appeared to imply the masts only had a range of 50 metres.

He also feared the cabinets that would be needed next to the masts would be an “open invitation for a little assault course” and a magnet for anti-social behaviour.

Coun Christine Lawton added: “These giant masts will inevitably become a part of our living landscape and will surely be needed but they should be beacons not blights.”

Planning rules meant that members were only able to rule on the “siting and appearance” of the masts.

Coun Angela Newton felt residents had a point when raising fears over road safety.

She said people living nearby were “not against progress” but added: “What they are against is their area being a dumping ground.”

Coun Rodney Grocock felt applicant Hutchison (which operates the Three network) should have sent someone to the meeting to address councillors’ questions.

He said: “It’s not right them putting an application in for this and sitting back and thinking we will just roll over and pass it because they are a big company.”

Coun Paul Redgate said the authority is a “forward thinking” council that welcomes 5G but that there was a lack of information for members, adding: “We won’t be doing justice to our residents if we pass this.”

Closing the debate, chairman Coun James Avery quoted former Mod band The Jam and said: “The public gets what the public wants.” He said the public does want 5G and better connectivity – but that there needs to be a right location and added: “I agree also that there seems to be more questions than answers.”

All members voted to turn the plans down.

Thumbs down for 'Billy no mates' second mast

Councillors vowed they wanted to be “consistent” over plans for 5G masts when moving on to debate a second structure.

Planning officers had recommended members approve a mast on the corner of Birch Grove and Matmore Gate, saying the 18 metre poll would “not materially adversely impact the character and appearance of the area”.

Councillors disagreed and felt many of the objections they had to the Wygate Park structure stood for this application too.

Council leader Gary Porter, speaking as a resident, said the second structure would be a ‘Billy no mates’ mast after the Wygate Park structure had been rejected.

He said the town is due to get superfast broadband soon and 5G masts are “becoming obsolete” before they go up.

He added: “I am hoping that members use all the same arguments that they used to defeat the last pole to defeat this one as well.”

Coun Roger Gambba-Jones cautioned against a “copy and paste” response and said the plans were different.

Coun Christine Lawton added: “It’s not quite as bad. However, it’s bad enough.”

Coun Angela Newton revealed a third mast was now planned for the corner of Hawthorn Bank and The Parkway.

Members wanted to see the strategy for 5G in Spalding. Coun Gambba-Jones added: “The frustration is that we have not been advised, consulted or even conferred with.”

Coun Andrew Woolf urged: “We have to be consistent. You can’t refuse one and pass another on the basis of a couple of metres. These could be up left, right and centre if we start the ball rolling.”

Planning committee chairman Coun James Avery said it would help the applicant’s cause to explain the ‘joined up picture’.

All members voted to reject the mast plan.



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