Proposed Three UK 5G mast rejected in Wickwar due to 'visual harm'

Telecoms giant Three UK requested permission from South Gloucestershire Council to install an 18-metre tall street pole and three additional cabinets on a verge in Wickwar High Street. 

Three UK said in council documents that existing sites in Wickwar are already ‘struggling to cope with demand' and 'an increase in 5G capacity is required.’

But neighbours, councillors and the area’s MP Luke Hall expressed concern about the proximity of the tall mast to historic buildings. 

On the application, there were 187 letters of objection and three comments in favour of the proposal.

The proposal, however, was rejected on March 22 due to its potential impact on the historic village. 

SGC councillor Pat Trull (Frampton Cotterell, Lib Dem) described the plan as ‘dreadful’. 

“In my opinion this is a dreadful place to put this monopole and the cabinets,” she said in a council document. 

The site in Wickwar High Street opposite the youth club where the 5G mast was proposed (Image: CK Hutchison Holdings / Three UK)

“There are precious few green areas in Wickwar and this will be a colossal eye sore.

“The monopole and cabinets could very well obscure the view of drivers accessing Sodbury Road from the turning into Inglestone Road. Surely there must be better places to put this pole?”

One of the reports in the decision reads: “The mast would therefore be a very prominent feature in the local landscape.

“The mast, at 18 metres high, would be a very imposing structure upon and within the area and highly visible from a number of directions and distances.

“The mast would tower above the nearby residential properties, and other locations which reduce this impact should be considered.

An artist's impression of the proposed Wickwar 5G mast (Image: CK Hutchison Holdings / Three UK)

"It would have a negative impact upon the visual amenity of the locality.”

“As can be seen with other 5G installations, they are significant in scale and result in monolithic massing and represent a significantly harmful and intrusive in addition to the street scene. 

“In addition to the mast itself, the array of cabinets lined directly adjacent to the footway would add a level of visual clutter that would also be harmful to the character of the area.”

In the application, Three UK previously claimed that if the height of the column was reduced then the antennas would not be able to operate effectively.

It is currently unknown if the council's decision will be appealed. 

To view the application in full, visit the council website, quoting reference - P23/00410/PN1