Residents have won their battle to prevent a huge 5G phone mast being erected on Bellhouse Way.

The 20 metre high mast would have been located next to the Foxwood Community Centre.

The proposal from Hutchinson/Clarke Telecom was heavily criticised by the residents association, ward Councillors and neighbours. They were concerned that the mast would dominate the residential streetscape, affect footpath widths, impede sight lines and could have facilitated criminals to use the cabinets to gain access to nearby properties.

The Council gives the impact on visual amenity as its main reason for refusing the application. The full decision notice can be read by clicking here

While the Telecoms Company could appeal against the decision we hope that they will now stand back and reflect.

A more obvious location for their mast would be on Foxwood Lane next to the Thanet Road sports area.This is well away from the nearest dwelling.

The existing mast cabinets could be moved there as could those which are currently located at the entrance to the Rugby Club car park (which also cause sight line problems for drivers).

Still, at least in this case, the Council seems to have heeded the views of the local community.