A “monstrous” proposed 5G pole outside a school has met with controversy as 16 objections have come in.

The proposal to install a monopole on land near Ainsdale Road, South Oxhey, was submitted to Three Rivers District Council on March 7.

Objections started to come in on March 10, with neighbours upset over the “monstrous” 20-metre size, proximity to St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School, visual impact on the surroundings, and energy use.

The tower would stand 50 metres from the school.

Many of the objections also mentioned theories about a danger to people’s health from 5G technology.

The planning application provides a document outlining that “there is no cause for concern in regard to health”.

It highlights that the World Health Organisation has found to date no adverse health effect has been causally linked with exposure to wireless technologies “after much research performed”.

One objection letter said: “The mast will be extremely visually intrusive and further will be visually detrimental to the street scene and totally unesthetic upon this vital and much-loved amenity green.”

Another added: “I object to the proposed monopole, by reason of its siting, in close proximity to nurseries, preschools, and primary schools, and appearance including its excessive height.”

Other neighbours, including parents of children at the school, called the tower “monstrous”, “unacceptable” and an “eyesore”.

According to planning documents, Vodafone had identified a requirement for improved 2G, 3G, and 4G coverage in South Oxhey as well as a need for new 5G coverage.

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It described the proposal as “the smallest scale structure that can be deployed in this location and provide the required network coverage”.

Alongside the light-grey steel monopole, three cabinets, and ancillary works are also included, which would sit to the rear of the pavement just south of a junction with Matlock Crescent.

The application is currently “pending consideration”.

The government wants the majority of the population to be covered by 5G signal by 2027 to make the UK “a world leader” in the technology.

In the covering letter, Waldon Telecom, which works on behalf of Vodafone and Telefónica joint venture Cornerstone, said the plan is “the most suitable option” and will “deliver public benefit in terms of the mobile services it will provide”.