Cowick Street 5G mast scrapped

It was also a unanimous decision

Controversial plans for a new ‘awful and inappropriate’ 5G mast to be installed in the heart of the Cowick conservation area have been refused.

Exeter City Council’s planning committee had been recommended to grant approval for the installation of the 15m high 5G telecommunication monopole in Cowick Street near the St Thomas Shopping Centre, when they met on Monday night.

The application had been made mobile network operator Hutchison 3G UK Limited, commonly known as Three, due to an ‘acute need’, and officers had recommended the prior approval application be approved.

But councillors felt that the scale, design and siting of the proposed mast in the conservation area would be completely unacceptable and almost unanimously rejected the scheme.

There had been 300 objections out of 312 comments on the St Thomas plans, although only half of them are from being who live or work in Exeter, with among the objections concerns over the safety concerns, the perceived public health risks and that further research should be done and application put on hold until the safety of 5G has been established.

However, as the application is considered to be ‘permitted development’, the only considerations that the committee can take into account relate to the siting and appearance of the mast.

Legal advice to the committee says that while the introduction of 5G is a controversial topic throughout the country, with many campaigners claiming the technology is unproven and potentially hazardous to health, the government of the United Kingdom and Public Health England have provided reports and guidance to state that 5G is safe and that there are no public health grounds for 5G installation to be refused.

The only considerations that the committee could take into account relate to the siting and appearance of the mast, and but councillors felt these impacts would be unacceptable.

Cllr Hannah Packham said that her St Thomas residents had serious concerns about the scale, design and siting of the mast. She added: “It is out of place and out of keeping in comparison to the buildings and the area. It clearly dominates the skyline and looks enormous against the existing trees. The precinct is at the heart of the community and loved by the residents, and quite frankly, the mast is going to be an eyesore in an area in a green space that provides some of the character that we love.”

Proposing refusal, Cllr Rob Hannaford said: “I think the impact is completely unacceptable. I really don’t think the huge pole will enhance the area and will undo many years of hard work. We should refuse this as it is not appropriate in a conservation area, and due to its height and design.”

Cllr Bob Foale added: “When over 340 residents write to the council, there is a fair chance they have a point to make. While the health reasons cannot be a reason for denial, they do represent very real fears that some of the residents have.

“This would dwarf the local shops and provide a blight on the landscape that would be replicated In every other ward in the city.”

Cllr David Harvey said: “A 15m mast in the middle of the Cowick conservation area would be an absolute disgrace,” while Cllr Phil Bialyk, leader of the council said: “It would be a retrograde step and should not be there. It looks awful and is totally inappropriate.”

Councillors voted by 12 votes to one to reject the application on the grounds that the height, siting, and design was unacceptable to the street scene and character of the Conservation area.

A second application for a 20m mast in Sidmouth Road, by the car park of Toby Carvery and sits opposite St Peter’s Church of England Aided School, had been withdrawn from the agenda prior to the meeting and will be considered at a later date.