Yet another plan has been submitted to build a 5G mast in Caversham.
CK Hutchison, the company which owns the Three mobile network, has applied to install a 5G mast at the junction of St Peter’s Avenue and Chazey Road in Caversham Heights.
The company has applied to build 5G masts in at least three other locations in Caversham.
In this case, CK Hutchison is hoping to build an 18 metre mast with two ancillary cabinets on ground level.
Neighbours have posted about the plan on Facebook, with one woman pointing out that it will be twice the height of the nearest house 55 St Peter’s Avenue, which is nine metres tall.
READ MORE: Caversham residents gear up for fight as Three mobile appeal 5G mast refusal
The installation of masts are considered permitted development, which means Reading Borough Council has less scope to refuse 5G masts.
Councillor Isobel Ballsdon (Conservative, Caversham Heights) has told neighbours that 5G mast plans can only be rejected on three grounds: siting and appearance, the absence of alternative sites, and health matters.
While cllr Ballsdon accepted that there are no grounds for refusal on health matters, she has objected to the plan on the basis of its siting, appearance and availability of alternative locations.
Cllr Ballsdon wrote: “The reasons set out… for discounting alternative sites do not stack up.
“Nor has there been any consideration to sharing one of the nearby existing masts. Also, mobile phone coverage in St Peter’s Avenue and Chazey Road is excellent, which begs the question of whether there is actually a need in the local area.
“I accept that whichever site your company selects, a mast will have a negative visual impact (hence it would be preferable you look at sharing an existing mast).
“However, the siting you are proposing in Chazey Road close to St Peter’s Avenue, which is an extremely attractive tree-lined road, would be hugely unpopular.”
The plan has also been opposed by Matt Rodda, the Labour MP for Reading East, calling the proposed mast “a large and imposing metal structure.”
READ MORE: Reading MP opposes yet another 5G mast plan in Caversham
On the other hand, Stephen Holgate who lives near the proposed mast site wrote in support of it, as it would provide “a much stronger and more reliable phone and data signal in the area.”
For its part, a spokesperson for Three said: “5G rollout is vital for residents and businesses of Caversham.
“We want to offer the community a reliable network experience and this site will be critical to making that happen.
“Masts need to be situated where people will be using the service and, in many cases, in precise locations to ensure the widest breadth of coverage. We carry out extensive searches and evaluate a wide range of options before submitting any planning applications.”
You can view the application by typing reference 221825 into the council’s planning portal.
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