‘Eyesore’ 5G mast appears ‘out of nowhere’ and homeowners aren’t happy
Residents are fuming that a giant ‘eyesore’ 5G mast identical to one branded a ‘metal dildo’ has been erected outside their homes.
Locals in Ashford, Kent, say they were given no warning that the 65ft protrusion was being put up, with planning permission apparently denied last year.
It looks exactly like a 5G mast that outraged residents in Wolverhampton, West Midlands, when it sprung up in June.
It has been compared to a massive sex toy and home owners say it knocked £10,000 off the value of their properties.
That ‘monstrosity’ was the work of the Three network – just like the pole now causing outrage at the Park Farm estate along Bluebell Road in Ashford.
Ashford Borough Council is said to have rejected plans for it to be built in 2021 after residents raised concerns over the proposed location, as well as possible health issues and worries the mast would be an eyesore, Kent Online reports.
Despite apparently being refused, the structure appeared ‘without warning’ last month opposite Skylark Way.
Park Farm South councillor Jim Wedgbury told the website: ‘I am appalled that a mast has been sited in such an inappropriate location with a complete disregard for locals.
‘I have been opposed to phone masts being sited in residential areas and have spent 20 years opposing these applications.
‘I have always said any phone masts near Park Farm should be sited by the Cloverleaf roundabout on the A2070, well away from people’s homes.’
A Three spokesman is quoted by Kent Online saying the reason the mast was put up was because Ashford council did not refuse the application within the given deadline.
They told Metro.co.uk in a statement: ‘5G rollout is vital for residents and businesses in Ashford.
Liz meets Liz to officially become Prime Minister‘We want to offer the community a reliable network experience and this site will be critical to making that happen.’
It is understood Three’s planning application was submitted on 28 July, 2021, to the local planning authority, which had 56 days to approve or deny the proposal.
Apparently there was not a response within the timeframe and as a result Three claimed ‘deemed consent’ and began building the mast.
Last month, 164 residents in Park Farm and Bridgefield signed a petition calling for a 5G mast to improve signal in the area.
Supporters said it was long overdue and were in favour of better signal as it has become increasingly difficult for residents to work from home.
Councillor Neil Bell said there is an investigation into the issue, adding: ‘An application for prior approval for this mast was refused last year on the grounds that the siting and appearance would cause unjustified visual harm.
‘Following the erection of the mast our planning enforcement team have a current investigation into the matter.’
A spokesman for Kingsnorth Parish Council said: ‘We are supportive of improving mobile phone signal across the parish.
‘We have not been notified of a new planning application since the previous prior approval application was received and refused by Ashford Borough Council (ABC.)
‘Planning legislation changed earlier this year and it may be that planning permission is not now required – this will be an issue for the ABC planning department.’
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