5G phone mast approved for Littlehampton residential estate

Arun District Council has granted permission for a 5G mast to be installed on land at the junction of Hollyhock Way and Worthing Road.

The 5G telecoms installation was proposed by CK Hutchison Holdings, on behalf of The Three mobile network.

The 15m/50ft high will also include three further additional equipment cabinets.

Nine public objections were submitted, whilst Littlehampton Town Council also opposed the plans.

However, the district council found ‘no planning grounds to refuse the application’.

The decision report stated that: “The social and economic benefits of providing reliable and high quality mobile broadband connections, including 5G, support growth in productivity, efficiency and local business provision, across the whole economy.

"These benefits are strong material considerations which outweigh the objections raised."

‘Inappropriate’ location

In its objection to the plans, the town council said the location was ‘inappropriate’ and ‘would be better located on the nearby industrial estates or park’.

They said the pole, in its current position, would have an ‘adverse impact’ on views and amenity of nearby residents and users of the bus stop and highway.

They also argued that the pole would be above the tree level ‘so very visible’ and contrary to the local plan – 'equipment should be sympathetically designed and camouflaged'.

The development was also considered too exposed and at risk of vandalism.

In the nine letters of objection, concerns were also raised over the proximity of the mast to nearby houses as well as fears regarding the health and safety of the mast.

Why is the mast needed?

H3G (Three) said the plans came as part of its commitment to providing ‘improved network coverage and capacity’.

They said the Covid-19 pandemic has highlighted the importance of high-speed mobile connectivity and ‘facilitating the increased need and demand’ for working from home.

The developers wrote: “The pre-consultation invited comments within a two-week period and while the merits of high-speed telecommunications are generally recognised; pre-application has identified the need to carefully consider the risk of increased visual amenity to adjoining residential properties through the siting of telecommunications infrastructure with urban settings.

"Our reliance on internet and Wi-Fi connectivity is becoming more and more important as we expect to be always connected and this is reflected in national initiatives to provide full broadband and phone coverage, even in rural areas, and the development of ultrafast broadband and 5G.

“It is crucial that the council sees digital as much more than a technology, although technology that supports it is important, we need to fully embrace digital so that we can harvest the social and economic benefits it offers.”

Alternative locations were suggested

Amanda McCarthy, who rallied residents together by making them aware of the plans and the potential repercussions, said no one was against the idea of 5G – just the location of the proposed telegraph pole.

She said: “I printed off maps of where the mast was going and delivered it to everyone who would be able to see it from their house.

“It included a letter, which said, if you feel like me and don't want an eyesore there, it can affect the ability to resell your property.

“You will see the pole when you're entering Littlehampton. There would be better places.”

Alternative locations suggested were The Body Shop Roundabout; Rustington industrial estate and Brookfield Park, near the A27.

Amanda added: “This wouldn’t be intrusive to people's homes and gardens and it wouldn't become such an eyesore to people.”

The developers said four alternative sites were considered and discounted.

Mast will be painted green

Arun District Council has stipulated that the mast and ancillary cabinets should be painted green to ensure the development is ‘visually integrated’ with its environment.

“To be honest, it would probably be better grey because it would blend in a little bit better,” Amanda said.

"Most people were quite upset that it had been approved.

"There was no appeal process for us and that was disheartening.”

Amanda also raised concerns over the advertising of the plans, stating that residents were not written to and were instead expected to see lamp post planning notices or check social media and newspapers.

In response, the district council said: “Lamp post planning notices were put up in Hollyhock Way and on Worthing Road in line with agreed protocol.”

To view the application, visit Arun District Council’s planning portal and search for reference LU/154/22/TEL.

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