Plans for ‘monstrous’ 5G mast in Sea Mills rejected

“Common sense: one. Ugly tech: zero,” declares Heidi Simpson, the manager of the Cafe on the Square in Sea Mills. A large 5G mast proposed opposite the cafe and within a conservation area has just been rejected by Bristol City Council. “We’re so relieved that the voice of the vast majority of Sea Mills has been heard,” adds Heidi. More than 450 objections were received from residents.

The plans, originally for an 18-metre mast, revised to 15, were submitted by CK Hutchinson Networks (UK) Limited, which owns the Three mobile network. If permission had been granted, the proposal would have seen the mast situated next to the 100-year-old Addison’s oak tree and towering above local homes.

Many local people felt that the installation would have had a negative impact on the look of the area, spoiling their enjoyment of the public green space which includes the cafe and a popular children’s playground.

Bristol City Council case officer Liam Fisher agreed with residents over the size of the mast, adding: “The proposal would not enhance or preserve the setting of the conservation area and the harm to this would not be outweighed by the public benefit of the proposal.”

Sea Mills Square, where Three wanted to put up its mast, is home to a cafe and a popular children’s play area. Photo by Mary Milton

Only six comments were received in favour of the mast, with those people giving improved signal strength and ease of home working as reasons for permitting it.

Local councillors John Goulandris and Henry Michallat added that they were “delighted” that the plan had been refused, and called the mast “monstrous” and “appalling”. They went on to acknowledge that “we do need efficient signal strength, but there are existing mast sites which can be shared.”

While this particular mast has been refused, 300 metres away the Vodafone and O2 networks are in the process of seeking approval to replace their existing installation on top of St Edyth’s Church tower.

This proposal mitigates worries over the appearance of the mast by hiding equipment behind the parapet of the tower and painting any exposed works to match the stonework. Despite this, the mast has received around 30 objections, mainly from people who fear negative health impacts of 5G technology.

Other networks also want 5G masts in Sea Mills, with Vodafone and O2 planning to update an existing installation on top of St Edyth’s church tower. Photo by Vodafone

Having been refused permission in Sea Mills Square, Three may now look for another location for its mast, but it can also appeal to the planning inspectorate. Planning laws are being relaxed to speed up the 5G rollout, and two masts elsewhere in north Bristol, shared by the Three and EE networks, have recently been granted at appeal, having been previously refused by Bristol City Council.

Many people in Sea Mills want the advantages that 5G will bring but expect masts to be placed sympathetically.

“We are not opposed to the improvement of mobile communications and understand that infrastructure of this nature is required,” says Andrew Wotton, the chair of Sea Mills and Coombe Dingle Together, who also objected to the mast in the Square.

He adds: “In the light of such huge local opposition we hope and trust the developers realise that any appeal against this decision is futile and that they will soon be able to find a viable alternative location.”

Mary Milton is reporting on Sea Mills as part of Bristol24/7’s community reporter scheme, a pilot project which aims to tell stories from areas of Bristol traditionally under-served by the mainstream media

Main photo by Mary Milton

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