Refused 5G Mast In "Ridiculous Position" Appealed

A refused proposal to install a 20-metre 5G mast in a “ridiculous position” in an Isle of Wight coastal town has been appealed.

Mobile Broadband Network Limited (MBNL) is contesting the rejection of its proposed 20m monopole, supporting nine antenna apertures and two 0.3m dishes on land next to 1 Perowne Way, Sandown.

The prior approval application also included six ancillary cabinets.

County Hall refused it after receiving 59 objections from residents, with two 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.

“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.

“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.”