Residents ‘horrified’ at plans for 5G mast

And he’s backing a petition to scrap the plans, asking the council to reject the application for Sutton Coldfield in order to find an alternative site.

Plans for the mast, which would be located on the green between Little Sutton Lane and Heath Croft Road, are due to go before the Sutton Coldfield Town Council this week, before going to Birmingham City Council for final sign off at a future date.

The development involves the installation of a 20 metre-high monopole which would support six antennas, the uppermost three of which would provide 5G coverage while the lower set of three antennas would provide 4G coverage. The pole would also support two transmission dishes below the antennas.

The applicant say that the installation ‘has been sited to ensure no tree trimming will be required for the construction of the site whilst ensuring it benefits from the maximum amount of tree cover.’

However Deputy Leader of the Conservative group Councillor Ewan Mackey says he’s concerned that the green could be lost to local people if the plans are approved.

“I found out about this on Saturday – someone asked me ‘have you heard about the 5G mast they’re going to put on the green?’ and I wasn’t too impressed about it,” he said.

“So I put it on my Facebook page, which obviously doesn’t cover the whole of the ward, but quite a few people were quite rightly horrified to see there was a 20 metre mast that was going to be put in the middle of a green open area that’s basically there for their enjoyment.

“And a resident there, at very short notice, came up with the petition. As I understand it these 5G masts have a bit of preferential planning – the council is supposed to really sort of wave it through.

“But there are areas that they can complain about, and I think the main thing about this one is location – you know, you really want to be looking at some sort of commercial premises and then put it on top of that, rather than putting it in the middle of a village green that is going to change that whole area forever really.

“The first and easiest option as I see it is that it’s green urban space, and no mast should be there whether it’s 5G, 3G or even a WiFi pole. For me that’s a green area that people should be able to enjoy. And obviously if a pole goes in there’d be quite an area cordoned off, and subsequent removal of a public space.

“That’s why I’m against it, and the residents are against it, and this petition is supporting that.”

You can see the petition here: https://www.change.org/p/residence-of-birmingham-stop-birmingham-city-council-allowing-the-planning-and-siting-of-5g-molepoles-in-birmingham