Thumbs Down for Latest 5G Phone Mast Applications

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Council says no to monopoles up to 20 metres high across borough

Visualisation of a mast being proposed on Farm Lane

February 10, 2023

H&F Council planners have given the thumbs down to the latest batch of applications to install 5G telecoms monopoles ranging from 15 to 20 metres in height at locations around the borough.

These applications were for 20-metre-high monopoles in Fulham Palace Road and Charecroft Way, behind the West 12 Centre in Shepherd’s Bush, a 17 metre high monopole in Fulham’s Wandsworth Bridge Road and another 20 metre high pole in Townmead Road.

All these poles would also have had substantial equipment cabinets around their bases. For instance, the application in Shepherd’s Bush is as follows:

Installation of a freestanding 20 metre high slim-line monopole, supporting 6 no. antennas with 1 no. wraparound equipment cabinet at the base, 2 no. additional equipment cabinets, 1 no. electric meter cabinet, and associated ancillary works. Footway At Charecroft Way London W14 0EE.

Full details can be seen on the council website’s planning pages by searching for the word monopole.

All these applications, which are generally made by or on behalf of the CK Hutchison Group which operates the Three network, require prior approval consent from the council, and all have been refused.

A letter accompanying the applications from Matt Warman MP from the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport emphasises the importance of these mobile base stations in extending 5G coverage. However, the council’s objections to the 15 - 20-metre-high monopoles range from their dominance over the surroundings to safety issues.

For example, reasons for refusing the Charecroft Way application were that it would be a dominant and visually intrusive structure; the additional footway clutter would result in negative impacts on the pedestrian environment and lower pedestrian safety and it would affect the health of nearby trees.

However, these consistent refusals by the council are not the end of the story, because CK Hutchison has launched a number of appeals to The Planning Inspectorate.

While some have been unsuccessful, The Planning Inspectorate did overrule the council in 2022 and grant consent to a 15-metre-high monopole in Fulham’s Farm Lane.

In his judgement, the Planning Inspectorate’s David Wyborn conceded that the monopole would cause visual harm to its immediate area, but added, “ I consider that this harm is outweighed by the substantial public benefits which would result from the proposal. Accordingly, I consider that material considerations indicate that the decision should be made otherwise than in accordance with the development plan such that the planning balance falls in favour of prior approval being granted.”

After achieving this success, further appeals against the council’s decisions can be expected in the future, along with yet more applications. Another, in White City’s Australia Road has already been registered and is currently being considered by the council.

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