Phone company appeals against 5G Sheffield mast refusal

Sheffield Council rejected the application for a 20-metre-high telecommunications pole in Ecclesall, saying it would be ‘unacceptably prominent’ and ‘visually obtrusive’.

However, Mobile Broadband Network, which is co-owned by EE and Three, launched an appeal against the authority’s decision.

MBN wanted to replace a current 14.5m monopole with the new, higher one in front of Ecclesall Medical Centre, Millhouses Lane.

Before the decision was made, 12 members of the public wrote to the council to object and submitted a petition with 42 signatures against the plans.

One opponent, who lives on nearby Woodholm Road, said: “It is out of keeping in an area with so many homes, including some households with very young children.

“No-one is sure how bad the potential health effects will be especially on young children. The neighbourhood is being used as a guinea pig.”

Another, who lives on the same road, said: “This pole would tower above and stand-out in a hideous way if located at the road junction. It will jar against the backdrop of existing houses, tress and other sympathetic features as it soars so high above the skyline.”

The World Health Organisation states on its website: “To date, and after much research performed, no adverse health effect has been causally linked with exposure to wireless technologies.”

An appeal against the council's decision was received on June 3.

The appellant now has a number of deadlines in the coming weeks for sending supporting documents before a decision is made.

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