Residents in Worcester Park are campaigning to move a 5G mast that was erected in their neighbourhood.
The 20m mast appeared on the end of Timbercroft and Kingston Road in March 2020 and was constructed by telecommunications company EE Limited / Hutchison 3G.
Epsom and Ewell Council has said the appropriate planning permission was sought.
But residents have complained that the mast was erected without consultation and in the wrong location.
They have formed a petition called “Move the Mast” – and are threatening legal action to get it taken down.
Sarah Geraghty, who lives on Timbercroft Road, described the object as an “eyesore.” She said the planning application contains inaccuracies.
“We have spent months liaising with the council and reviewing the details of the application in full and believe the mast has been erected in the wrong location and should have been a replacement mast for the one on the opposite corner, outside Co-op,” Ms Geraghty said.
She added that the Council said 117 neighbouring properties were consulted and no comments received.
“We contacted all of the properties by mailshot – 59 responded and signed to say they did not receive any notification. One shop, the Post office on Ruxley Lane, remembers receiving the letter and responded with an objection. This shop can’t even see the mast in its current location,” Ms Geraghty said.
Epsom and Ewell MP, Chris Grayling, has backed the neighbours calls for the mast to be removed.
“I am in little doubt that something has gone badly wrong here. The mast is clearly not in the place that anyone expected. I can’t understand why the Borough Council hasn’t intervened, and I hope that they will do so now,” he said.
A Council spokesperson denied the mast was in the wrong place.
“The mast has planning permission having been assessed against Council and national planning policy.
Consultation was undertaken in accordance with the Council’s adopted Statement of Community Involvement and statutory requirements.
“Council officers have confirmed that the mast has been erected in accordance with the approved plans.”
EE has been contacted for comment.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel