Beane Road 5G mast plans scuppered

Plans for a 15 metre high mobile mast in Beane Road have been scuppered after an appeal was dismissed by a government inspector.

The appeal was lodged by CK Hutchinson Networks ('Three') after East Herts District Council refused a planning application for a new 5G mast on the corner of Beane Road and Millmead Way in July last year (2022).

In refusing planning permission, an East Herts District Council planning officer concluded: "The proposed mast, by reason of its inappropriate height, siting and design would be at odds with the open landscape setting. The high visibility of the mast in the public realm means that it would appear unduly dominant and overly prominent in the surrounding area which would fail to preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the Hertford Conservation Area."

However, CK Hutchinson Networks took issue with this conclusion, saying: "we are aware of the sensitive nature of this [Conservation Area] designation anmd every effort has been made to assimilate our proposed development with its immediate and wider surroundings. We therefore do not accept the premise that the proposed new street work pole will have a significantly detrimental effect upon the street scene".

"We do not consider that the decision issued by the local planning authority ... took sufficient or due weight to the importance placed on enhanced and improved telecommunications infrastructure".

In an Appeal Decision issued last Friday 30th June, a government planning inspector backed the council, saying: "Whilst I acknowledge that the antenna must be located above surrounding trees and buildings for operational reasons, the new 15m high monopole would be significantly higher than other nearby buildings, streetlights, traffic signs and trees. It would also be much wider than other street structures. Its steel finish and top-heavy equipment would have an uncharacteristic industrial-style appearance that would be overly conspicuous and would significantly detract from its predominantly natural surroundings. Although the trees would provide some screening and backdrop, these would not reduce the visual impact of the development from Beane Road and in views across the open space on the opposite side of the road. Despite its set back from the footway and the presence of various other smaller vertical structures, the proposal would appear incongruous in this natural and open environment."

"The proposal would fail to preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the CA [Conservation Area]. Although the degree of harm to its significance would be less than substantial, paragraph 199 of the [National Planning Policy] Framework is clear that any harm to a CA must be afforded great weight."

Similar plans for a 5G mast in Tudor Way on The Sele Farm Estate have also been refused planning permission following a decision on 7th June 2023. The application drew 58 neighbour responses and objections from Hertford Town Council. The District Council said that: "[the] size, siting and design would appear unduly prominent within the street scene, contributing to cluttter which will be visually intrusive and detrimental to the character and appearance of the street scene and surrounding properties."