People living close to the site of a planned new 5G mast in Wirral have labelled the plans "a monstrosity."
An application has been submitted by telecoms giant Three to Wirral Council to install the mast, which will improve internet connectivity in the area, on Magazine Road in Bromborough.
The new pole would be 20 metres high and sit “right opposite our house” according to Tony Pugh who lives on the road.
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He is worried the new mast will affect their view onto the nearby tree-lined path. Mr Pugh said: “We are not overlooked by houses on our road. It’s an old railway line in front of our house so we have a tree line all the way down.”
His wife, Jane Pugh, has similar concerns, adding: “These houses were built opposite a lovely walkway but now we’re going to be looking out at a massive big mast. We’ve got little enough green space as it is.”
Mr Pugh, who’s lived on the road for 22 years, said: “I understand life is going that way but the majority of these are where there is little or no housing. It doesn’t really involve anyone but this is 25 metres from our front door.
“A lot of the neighbours are angry about the infringement on what is a lovely quiet road. It could go elsewhere. We’re not opposed to 5G but we’re opposed to a massive monster pole outside my front door.”
He thinks the location of the mast would be better in a non-residential area where people aren’t living nearby.
A Three spokesperson said: “5G rollout is vital for residents and businesses of Bromborough. We want to offer the local area a reliable network experience and this site will be critical to making that happen.
“While we try to keep mast sites as unobtrusive as possible, masts do 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.
“As with any application, we consult with the council and ward councillors. Consultation with residents directly is handled by the council.”
Cllr Sue Percy, who represents Bromborough, said she’s been contacted by several people nearby with similar complaints.
She said she’s currently “fighting for their right to be heard at council '' and has asked the council to decide the application at a planning committee meeting rather than just a council officer. She’s pointed to similar applications for masts that have been rejected over their impact on nearby houses.
A decision on the application has been extended to March and any comments on the application extended to January 18.
Two applications for similar masts were also recently submitted in Rock Ferry on Old Chester Road as well as Borough Road.
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