Hove residents fight plans to build ugly massive 5G mobile phone masts on the roof of their homes

Residents in Grand Avenue, Hove are fighting plans by mobile phone companies Three and EE to build a massive 5G mobile mast base station on the roof of their homes without their permission.

Homeowners of 84 flats in Coombe Lea - a classic mid-century modernist apartment block in the middle of the heritage Avenues Conservation Area - were shocked to find that private telecommunications companies had the power to apply to install massive masts and equipment on top of their apartments. 

Three and EE already have a base station for 3G, 4G, and 5G mobile networks close by on the roof of the newly built Waterfront development on Victoria Terrace, Kingway - a mix of commercial and residential units.

Resident homeowner, Serena Mitchell, said:

“I was horrified to receive a letter in early January from Waldon, a Surrey based engineering company acting on behalf of Three and EE, telling me they were submitting a planning application to install six large mobile phone masts and a network base station on our roof. There are over 150 people living and working in this block 24 hours a day, including elders and families with young children. The majority of us are really worried that this unsolicited proposal will damage our ageing block, devalue our property, and cause both noise and environmental pollution. This is a commercial industrial development at the expense of ordinary homeowners and residents. I feel like my human rights over my home are being violated by big corporates.

“The application appears to contravene many local conservation, heritage, environmental and biodiversity planning rules. We really hope that the council will listen to our objections and reject this application, based on the evidence we’ve gathered. Our home is visible from all the surrounding streets and seafront, with its many listed and heritage buildings. These ugly masts will totally overshadow our neighbourhood and the listed Hove war memorial, which is right on our doorstep.”

Councillor Gary Wilkinson, Central Hove ward, said: “I’ve spoken to local residents and listened carefully to their concerns regarding this planning application. It seems totally inappropriate and in breach of multiple regulations to place a highly visible mast station on slap bang in the middle of the historic and residential Grand Avenue. I am concerned that the mobile phone companies have not considered other options for network expansion, such as siting their masts on the roofs of commercial buildings.”

Serena added: “I am not anti tech or innovation but I do question the high cost that poor planning and infrastructure has on individuals, communities and our planet. This application is highly unsuitable for a residential conservation area. There is much emerging scientific research and evidence into the harmful impact 5G network expansion has on biodiversity and the environment. Studies have shown that radiation emitted by 5G masts is damaging to birds, bees, and other insects, and the high energy consumption involved in the production of 5G equipment, installation and devices has been shown to further contribute to climate change. The council has a duty to consider all these factors - and I am sure none of our local leaders would be happy to have a massive mobile station built on the roof of their homes without their consent.”

Please help support our campaign to protect our homes and the local enviroment. View the planning application ref BH2021/00799 and submit your objections to the Council by 08 April 2021 at: https://planningapps.brighton-hove.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?keyVal=QPGCGKDM0PA00&activeTab=summary

For further info, a list of applicable regulations, policy and evidence and a template objection letter please email: [email protected]

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