Plans for a towering telecom mast sparks fierce debate as local politicians claim it should face proper scrutiny
The 5G mast has prompted further debate on the planning requirements from telecommunication companies for their structures(Image credit: Getty Images)
A towering 120-foot phone mast is set to rise near homes in Norfolk, and critics say it is being rushed through without proper planning checks.
Local politicians warn the potentially massive structure, planned near Wootton Road in a play area, is too big to slip through the permitted development process and should require planning permission so it can face proper scrutiny.
The row over the mast shines a spotlight on growing frustration about how telecom infrastructure is approved in residential areas.
Planning process under fire
Telecommunications firms can often use permitted development rights to speed up the rollout of 5G infrastructure without undergoing full planning permission.
These rights apply only if masts do not exceed certain limits – typically a maximum height of 100 feet. However, this proposed mast will stand 120 feet tall, sparking concerns that it should face full public consultation.
David Sayers, the local councillor for King's Lynn & West Norfolk Council, has been vocal against the plan. “This mast is bigger than a ten-storey building,” he said. “It doesn’t belong in a residential area, and using permitted development rules to push it through shortchanges the community.”
Sayers and other campaigners argue that bypassing the full planning process denies residents the chance to properly voice their concerns. They say the scale of the mast and its proximity to homes require a full and transparent evaluation by the planning committee.
Get the Homebuilding & Renovating Newsletter
Bring your dream home to life with expert advice, how to guides and design inspiration. Sign up for our newsletter and get two free tickets to a Homebuilding & Renovating Show near you.
Political debate over permitted development rights
MPs have previously debated the rules around 5G masts and planning permission(Image credit: Getty Images)
The controversy feeds into a wider political debate on telecom infrastructure planning. Some MPs and local leaders have criticised permitted development rights for allowing companies to install large structures without adequate public input.
Critics say this would balance the need for faster 5G rollout with protecting communities from unsuitable developments such as 5G masts that could devalue homes.
What happens next?
King's Lynn & West Norfolk Council are currently reviewing the prior approval application, assessing whether the project meets the permitted development criteria. Residents and stakeholders have been invited to submit comments before a decision is made.
If the application is rejected, the telecom company would need to submit a full planning application, which involves greater public consultation. Approval would allow the mast to proceed.
For many, the battle over masts is about more than just mobile coverage, it’s about ensuring their voices are heard in decisions that affect their neighbourhood.
News Editor Joseph has previously written for Today’s Media and Chambers & Partners, focusing on news for conveyancers and industry professionals. Joseph has just started his own self build project, building his own home on his family’s farm with planning permission for a timber frame, three-bedroom house in a one-acre field. The foundation work has already begun and he hopes to have the home built in the next year. Prior to this he renovated his family's home as well as doing several DIY projects, including installing a shower, building sheds, and livestock fences and shelters for the farm’s animals. Outside of homebuilding, Joseph loves rugby and has written for Rugby World, the world’s largest rugby magazine.
