South Oxhey 5G mast plans 'unsightly and incongruous'

Vodafone has applied to build a 17.5-metre mast in Gosforth Lane under permitted development to improve 4G and 5G coverage in the area, according to documents submitted by Cornerstone on behalf of the mobile provider.

It would be shorter than the previous 20m proposal which was blocked in March, but in the same location at around 100m from St Joseph's Primary School.How the proposed mast would look. (Image: Cornerstone) South Oxhey councillor Steve Cox said local Labour councillors remained “implacably opposed” to this application, adding: “There are better places to stick a mast and they should go and find it.”

“It’s in the wrong place, unsightly and incongruous,” he added. “They need to go back and come up with a less intrusive site.”

Cllr Steve Cox called the proposed mast unsightly and incongruous. (Image: Cllr Steve Cox) A Cornerstone spokesperson said it had reduce the proposed height to minimise visual impact and they believed Gosforth Lane was still the best location for an antenna.

The first application for a 20m tower in Ainsdale Road near to St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School was withdrawn in April last year after a protest was held outside the gates and a petition was signed by 310 people.

In March, Three Rivers District Council blocked the second application which moved the antenna around 100m away on the other side of the school but still 50 metres from its playground.

Arrow between the first site, in Ainsdale Road, and the current one in Gosforth Lane. (Image: Google Maps/Canva) Residents have lodged eight objections against the latest plans, which all raised concerns over the alleged health effects on 5G radiation.

South Oxhey resident John Eastwood previously delivered a petition with 582 written signatures to the the council's offices over the second application, and said he has now collected more than 100 names on a new petition.

John Eastwood has been collecting signatures against the plan. (Image: Facebook/John Eastwood) The 64-year-old carer said he was concerned about the mast's proximity to the primary school, adding: “I won’t claim to know whether 5G is safe or not, but people need to be given the correct information that makes them feel safe and prove to us that it is.”

Documents submitted with the application state however that research shows “no dangers” are linked to mobile communications radio signals such as 5G when used “within guidelines”.

The application site in Gosforth Lane. (Image: Google Maps/Canva) A spokesperson for Cornerstone said it “carefully” considers the location and design of its  mobile infrastructure developments. 

Regarding the previous refusal over the antenna's height, they said: "After reviewing all our options, we concluded that the proposed site remained the best option locally.  

“We have redesigned the proposed development with a shorter pole to minimise any visual impact and now await the Local Planning Authority decision.”