New mobile mast plan for Sele Farm

Plans for a 17-metre high 5G telecoms mast and equipment cabinets have been put forward by Hutchinson Mobile Networks (Three).

The proposed mobile mast would be located on a grassed area next to Tudor Way adjacent to Hutton Close.

Hutchinson have not provided any justification or reasoning behind the plans, but the loss of services from Hertford Theatre and the decreased cell size of 5G technology has led to an increased number of planning applications for telecoms masts.

A similar application last year for a 15m mast in Fleming Crescent was turned down by East Herts District Council due to its prominence and visual clutter "to the detriment of the visual amenities and character of the surrounding area".

Hutchinson and EE have recently won an appeal case against the refusal of planning permission for a telecoms mast in Hertingforbury Road.

A further appeal is currently also underway after the district council refused planning permission for a 17m mast on the A119 North Road between Hertford and Waterford close to the entrance to Goldings.

Three launched their mobile network 20 years ago and is now the fourth-largest operator in the United Kingdom, with about 9.5 million subscribers as of 2021. A merger with Vodafone is expected to be confirmed in the coming weeks.