New Bid for 5G Mast on Allotments Near Boston Road

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Appeal made against council's refusal of application

The location of the proposed mast near the plots on Wellmeadow Road

March 8, 2024

The company which has been trying to get clearance to build a 5G mast at an allotment site off Boston Road has now appealed to the Planning Inspectorate.

Cornerstone, which is acting on behalf of Vodaphone, applied (PA/2023/0600) to build a 20-metre-high monopole near the plots on Wellmeadow Road last February.

The structure would have had twelve antennas and four dishes attached to an open headframe and three ground-based cabinets. It would be positioned in the gravel parking area near the fence to the allotments. The mast would be more than twice the height of nearby trees.

Objections were made on a range of grounds including the mast being unsightly, the lack of security on the site, the poor communication of the plans and the impact it would have on nature in the area. The planning authority does not consider objections relating to the health impact of the mast.

Cornerstone says in its submission to the council that the mast is needed to replace one at an existing site on the roof at nearby Boundary House and that it must be as close as possible to the current site to maintain coverage for the Boston Manor area. It claims several other sites were considered but were found not to be suitable.

Hounslow Council refused the application in April 2023 telling the applicant that the mast would have a harmful effect on the character, appearance and biodiversity of the Wellmeadow Road Allotments site which is Metropolitan Open Land. This was deemed to be a result of ‘its unsustainable, inappropriate siting, excessive scale and height and incongruous design, contrary to Local Plan Policies.’

An earlier submission for a 22.5 metre mast was also refused by Hounslow Council.

Cornerstone waited nearly a year to launch the appeal to the Secretary of State Michael Gove. The application will now be re-examined by the government Planning Inspector. Any previous submissions made regarding the application will be considered by the Inspector during the appeal but anyone wishing to amend earlier comments or make addition one can email West1@planninginspectorate.gov.uk. The appeal reference is APP/F5540/W/23/3331497.

 

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