Three’s plans for 15-metre tall 5G mast to be installed in Woolton Hill have been withdrawn

Plans for a 15-metre high 5G telecommunications pole to be placed in Woolton Hill have been withdrawn.

The pole would have been located on the corner of Woolton Hill Road opposite Broadlayings.

Cignal Infrastructure UK Ltd — widely known as telecommunications company Three — submitted the plans for the pole and its associated ancillary works on March 30, but their application was officially withdrawn on May 18.

The pole would have increased phone signal coverage in the area, and after submitting the proposal, a Cignal Infrastructure spokesperson said: “The location has been identified as being necessary for Cignal Infrastructure UK Ltd business development and meets its specific technical and operational requirements.”

This news of the withdrawn application will likely be met with delight from Woolton Hill residents, as several of them objected to the plans.

William Scaplehorn of Blindmans Gate said: “It would be an ugly eyesore and reduce property values in the vicinity.”

Gayle Ashby of Church Road was concerned that the mast would create traffic problems.

She said: “The village has a lot of traffic, whether walking, driving or cycling. The proposal is to site the mast in an area which would take away vital sight lines around the corner.”

Gareth Foulkes of Aird Close objected on health reasons. He stated: “I object on the grounds of 5G electromagnetic fields being potentially harmful to health.

“There are no conclusive studies in existence showing that 5G radiation is safe, especially for children.

“Considering the proposed site is only a few hundred metres from a primary school (and on the route to school for many), I find this concerning.”

This is the third time within the past two years that plans for a 5G mast in the village haven’t materialised.

In October 2021, applicant CK Hutchison Networks (UK) Limited — the former name of Cignal Infrastructure — had been hoping to build a similar 15-metre tall mast on the corner of Tile Barn Row and Woolton Hill Road.

CK Hutchison had submitted the application after similar plans for an 18-metre mast on the same site had been thrown out as the site was “within a visually prominent location” within the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty (AONB).

However, despite reducing the size of the mast by three metres, borough council planning officers still refused the plans.