A towering 120-foot phone mast is set to rise near homes in Norfolk, and critics say it is being rushed through without proper planning checks.
Local politicians warn the potentially massive structure, planned near Wootton Road in a play area, is too big to slip through the permitted development process and should require planning permission so it can face proper scrutiny.
The row over the mast shines a spotlight on growing frustration about how telecom infrastructure is approved in residential areas.
Planning process under fire
Telecommunications firms can often use permitted development rights to speed up the rollout of 5G infrastructure without undergoing full planning permission.
These rights apply only if masts do not exceed certain limits – typically a maximum height of 100 feet. However, this proposed mast will stand 120 feet tall, sparking concerns that it should face full public consultation.
David Sayers, the local councillor for King’s Lynn & West Norfolk Council, has been vocal against the plan. “This mast is bigger than a ten-storey building,” he said. “It doesn’t belong in a residential area, and using permitted development rules to push it through shortchanges the community.”
Sayers and other campaigners argue that bypassing the full planning process denies residents the chance to properly voice their concerns. They say the scale of the mast and its proximity to homes require a full and transparent evaluation by the planning committee.
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Political debate over permitted development rights
MPs have previously debated the rules around 5G masts and planning permission(Image credit: Getty Images)
The controversy feeds into a wider political debate on telecom infrastructure planning. Some MPs and local leaders have criticised permitted development rights for allowing companies to install large structures without adequate public input.
Critics say this would balance the need for faster 5G rollout with protecting communities from unsuitable developments such as 5G masts that could devalue homes.
What happens next?
King’s Lynn & West Norfolk Council are currently reviewing the prior approval application, assessing whether the project meets the permitted development criteria. Residents and stakeholders have been invited to submit comments before a decision is made.
If the application is rejected, the telecom company would need to submit a full planning application, which involves greater public consultation. Approval would allow the mast to proceed.
For many, the battle over masts is about more than just mobile coverage, it’s about ensuring their voices are heard in decisions that affect their neighbourhood.
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