Council accused of ‘blatant disregard for local democracy’ over Newcastle mast plans

Councillors have rejected plans for a “horrible eyesore” 5G mast in the north of Newcastle.

Proposals to erect a 15m tall telecommunications pole in Brunton Park were thrown out by city decision-makers this week.

It is the third time CK Hutchison Networks have failed in their bid to install a mast at the corner of Greenfield Road and Princes Road, next to St Aidan’s Church and community centre.

More than 30 locals had objected to the plans, as had North Gosforth Parish Council, with opponents branding the pillar “ugly” and in a “totally unsuitable location”.

Newcastle City Council’s planning committee unanimously rejected the application at a meeting on Tuesday morning.

Byker councillor Stephen Sheraton said the pole “sticks out like a sore thumb”, while civic centre planning officers had concluded that it would cause “significant harm” to its village surroundings – despite having been reduced in height from earlier proposals from an 18m and then 16m mast.

One of the 31 objectors to the plans had warned the council: “This is the third time that this company has attempted to install a horrible eyesore in the heart of our community. It’s not in keeping with the aesthetic of the area, and would damage views of the centre of our village. This space should be used as a public space for residents and shouldn’t be used to install ugly utility installations that are significantly higher than any building around them.”

The council said that the need to improve 5G coverage in the Brunton Park area was “not questioned” and that CK Hutchison Networks had “outlined that the development would provide improved connectivity and network enhancement”.

However, the local authority was not convinced that alternative sites for the mast had been properly considered and that it would be an “incongruous feature”.

The latest setback for the 5G plans in Brunton Park comes after an outcry recently over a mast installed in Hazlerigg village.

Parish council members in Hazlerigg accused the city council of a “blatant disregard for local democracy” after contractors moved in to install the structure in Coach Lane without notice, following a Government planning inspector’s decision to allow it to be erected.

They called the pole a “complete eyesore, slap-bang in the middle of housing”.