Plans for 5G mast by St Joseph's Primary School return

Vodafone is looking to erect a 17.5-metre mast in Gosforth Lane to improve 4G and 5G coverage in the area, according to a consultation letter sent to residents.

Although plans have not yet been submitted, the outline drawings in a public consultation show it would be shorter than the previous 20m proposal but in the same location, around 100m away from St Joseph's Primary School and 50m from its playground.

South Oxhey councillor Steve Cox said local Labour representatives were “not fans” of the proposals.

The application site, in Gosforth Lane. (Image: Google Maps/Canva) “We have objected to the district council and a similar application was refused before,” he added. “We expect this outcome will be the same.”Cllr Steve Cox said Labour councillors were "not fans" of the antenna proposals. (Image: Cllr Steve Cox) The first application for a taller 20m tower in Ainsdale Road near to St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School was withdrawn in April last year after a protest was held outside the gates and a petition was signed by 310 people.

A second application was submitted in January, which moved the antenna around 100m away from the school, but a similar distance from its playground rather than its entrance.

Arrow between the first site, in Ainsdale Road, and the new one in Gosforth Lane. (Image: Google Maps/Canva) The plans received 23 objections and no comments in support, and were blocked by Three Rivers in March when officers said it would be “vastly greater” than the surrounding area and would be a “visually obtrusive and incongruous feature”.

The return of the plans has divided opinion among South Oxhey residents, as one urged them to “build the thing” to resolve poor local reception.

Another said he would be “making damn sure” the proposals were rejected once submitted, adding: “We cannot sit back and wait for this to come to us, we have to push back now.”

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Many of the objections to the previous mast, including the petition, mentioned theories about a danger to people’s health from 5G technology.

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

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