Paul MoseleyBBC political reporter, Norfolk
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The government has said more 5G masts are needed to improve mobile connections
Plans for a 25m (82ft) tall 5G mobile phone mast are set to be turned down over concerns it would have an “overbearing impact” on the surrounding area.
A telecommunications firm wants to build the tower on the outskirts of Norwich to replace an existing one.
Conerstone Technology said a mast in Hellesdon would provide “future proofed connectivity” and it was “essential to keep pace with growing demand for internet bandwidth and mobile data”.
But a report advises Broadland District Council’s planning committee to reject the idea, warning it would “result in significant harm” to the appearance of the area.
The proposed mast has also been strongly opposed by a number of residents and the local parish council.
Broadland District Council
Councillor Shelagh Gurney said many local residents were concerned about the plan
Cornerstone said the mast – which would be used by VodafoneThree – was needed as one currently serving the area was due to be decommissioned because of proposals to build new homes on the former Royal Norwich golf club.
Its plans would see the new mast built partly on land used by Carrowbreck House – a council-run training centre.
In a letter to the council, the firm’s agent Jack Corcoran pointed to government policies supporting the development of communications infrastructure.
Warning that mobile phone networks “will not function without the necessary infrastructure on which they rely”, he said improved connectivity would provide economic and social benefits.
He also said the mast would “benefit from good screening from mature trees and not appear overbearing”.
However, 28 people have written in opposition to the plan, along with Hellesdon Parish Council and local Conservative councillor Shelagh Gurney.
“There is much public concern about this proposal,” Gurney wrote.
“There is a detrimental effect on the residence amenity of this proposal. There are other sites in the vicinity which could accommodate this mast more appropriately.”
‘Completely at odds’
Broadland’s own economic growth department has also opposed the mast, on the basis it would impact Carrowbreck House by limiting “the site’s long-term flexibility.
A report for the planning committee said that – at 25m (82ft) – “the overall height of the mast and antennas is completely at odds with the scale of the surroundings”.
“The proposal is considered to cause significant harm to the general character and appearance of the surrounding area,” it added.
Recommending that councillors reject the plan, the report also warned the mast would have “an overbearing impact” on neighbours.
They are due to decide on the proposal next Wednesday.
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