Dismay over 'ugly' lockdown 5G mast installations

Church Lane, Kingsbury

Multiple cabinet on Fryent Way

Mast on Fryent Way

Residents have been in contact over installations of 5G masts and associated cabinets over the lockdown period.

The government is determined to be in the forefront of  5G installation ('world beating'?) and relaxed planning constraints.  At locations where masts already exist the default position is to allow the new installation.

The phone companies can give notice of proposed installation under Permitted Development Rights to the planning authority and if the authority does not respond within 56 days they can go ahead as 'Deemed Consent' is assumed.

Given the fact that councils are busy with coping with Covid19 the 56 days can elapse before a  response is made.  Sheffield City Council had to issue an apology LINK.

Councillor Bob Johnson, Cabinet Member for Transport and Sustainability at Sheffield City Council, said:“The Council apologises for this mistake but hope people will understand we are operating in extraordinary circumstances which have led to these oversights occurring. We understand residents’ depth of feeling about the location of these masts and we are sorry that they were not properly determined within the time limit.'

Were the phone companies taking advantage of local councils' correctly prioritising the protection of residents as a result of the Covid19 crisis?

The cabinets that are installed at the base of the masts reflect the different competing companies and makes one wonder about one positive by-product of nationalisation in that the number would be reduced!

Apart from it being an 'eye sore' local residents in Church Lane have pointed out the collision danger posed to local residents by the extensive installation.   The Fryent Way installation is only 200 yards from the already extensive set of masts and cabinets at the Salmon Street/Fryent Way roundabout and is on the border of the Country Park.

Did Brent Council give planning permission for these installations and were alternative sites considered?

Other Brent residents as they get out and about after lockdown may see other recent installations - do let us know what you think.