An attempt to construct a 5G phone mast has been blocked on the grounds it will “harm” the look of the area.

A telecommunications company that owns Three Mobile was hoping to put a 15-metre mast on the corner of High Street and Bournehall Road in Bushey.

CK Hutchison Networks believes it would be “vital” in improving and delivering 5G mobile coverage for the area.

But Hertsmere Borough Council has refused to give prior approval that would allow the mast to be installed.

A council officer concluded in their report, published on October 12, that the pole would be “visually obtrusive” and “substantially taller” than nearby structures such as a 10-metre mast.

Recognising the “growing need and demand” for connectivity, this was not considered enough of a reason to “outweigh the harm” the mast would have on the character and appearance of the surrounding area.

Read more: Council blocks 5G mast for Oxhey Road in Watford

Watford Observer: The mast was proposed on/by the grassy area pictured on the right at this junction in Bushey. Image: Google Street ViewThe mast was proposed on/by the grassy area pictured on the right at this junction in Bushey. Image: Google Street View (Image: Google Street View)

The application had drawn 23 objections and one comment of support.

The objections mostly centred on the size of the mast – described as “excessively tall and dominant”.

CK Hutchison said the site is situated in a “highly constrained” cell search area and five other locations had been dismissed for being too close to homes or out of the search area.

The company said the height of the pole had been kept to the “absolute minimum”, adding in a planning statement: “The proposed works at the site would not result in demonstrable harm to the character of the location.

“In addition the site is suitably distant from residential properties to ensure amenity loss is minimised, yet would provide the requisite coverage needed in the area.”

Read more: Talks arranged to tackle Costco petrol station queues

The majority of objections also included “health concerns relating to radio-frequency radiation”, according to the council report.

The planning application had been accompanied by a statement which confirmed the mast complied with the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) exposure guidelines.

A Three spokesperson added: “From a health and safety perspective, 5G deployment is no different to any other mobile technology. We take our obligation to run a safe network very seriously and actively work to ensure that our network remains compliant with international guidelines.

“In line with this, all of our sites’ transmission levels are set to conform with the ICNIRP safety guidelines as adopted by the UK government.”

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