Joanne, a resident of Petersham Drive in Orpington, told the News Shopper she was “angry and concerned” after reading plans to build a new 5G mast on her local green, saying that it would look “unsightly” and “not in keeping” with the area.
A planning application was made to Bromley Council by mobile infrastructure company Cornerstone on March 5.
The application outlined proposals to build a 20-metre high monopole with six antennas, two 300mm dishes and two cabinets along with associated ancillary works.
The proposed site for the new mast would be located adjacent to the houses of Petersham Drive on the green.
So far, the proposal has received 16 objection letters against the proposal, with one letter in support.
Joanne told the News Shopper that she was concerned that the mast would deteriorate the area, lowering the aesthetic of the green and adding noise pollution into the “very quiet area.”
She explained: “We’re a small residential area, this area is very quiet and you hear birdsong.
“Because we’re so near the woods, sound echoes sometimes, some days we can hear the train even though it’s a long, long way away.
“So we’ll hear the sound and just the thought of it is giving me anxiety.
“And it’s not just humans, I’m also worried about the wildlife and animals in the area that might be affected by it.”
She added that she felt the mast would be “better placed” in a commercial area where it would not be “out of place.”
Cornerstone, however, has said that the location on the grass verge would allow equipment to not impede on parking spaces or pedestrian flow and that it would not impact pedestrian safety.
Joanne said the mast would also affect residents in the houses that only have front-facing windows as their view would be “obstructed” by the mast.
Joanne said: “There are some houses that only have windows facing out onto the green where the monopole would go.
“If it goes ahead, the boxes will basically knock out all their daylight and they’ll have this horrible tower that they’ll look out on.”
Joanne, who lives with migraines and anxiety, added that she is concerned that her health could potentially be impacted by the monopole if plans for its installation went ahead.
In a bid to represent her community, and for people who may not know of the proposals or have access to the internet to be able to submit an objection, Joanne has launched a written petition to garner support from the locals.
So far, the petition has received over 200 signatures against the proposals for the new mast and is set to be handed in later this month.
Bromley Council said that the application is for prior approval in which the Council is only able to consider the siting and appearance of a proposal, and advised anyone with concerns to submit them online.
Similar concerns have been expressed by Labour councillor for St Paul’s Cray, Chris Price, who said that any noise from the mast would be “out of place” located so close to the houses.
He added that the mast would take up a lot of the space on the “very small green” and that a “rethink” would be welcomed.
Cllr Chris Price said: “I am concerned by the location suggested, it is a large mast that will need a control cabinet on the ground.
“This will take up a lot of space on the very small green.
“The houses around are lovely one bedroom back to back homes, this means the only view is to the front where they have a mature tree and the wonderful woods of Hoblingwell.
“If this proposal is approved, the view will be obscured by a 20m mast and a large cabinet.
“The location is very close to the houses, this is not a busy road, so the noise of the mast and box will be very out of place especially during the night.
“I am sure a rethink of location will provide the service needed as well as protecting this lovely corner of St Paul’s Cray.”
A spokesperson for Cornerstone said: “Cornerstone understand that our mobile infrastructure impacts communities.
“We design our sites to ensure that they blend into the area as much as is possible while enabling quality digital connectivity to the communities we serve.
“Integral throughout is our pre-application engagement with local stakeholders, for the proposed site we consulted with the local ward councillors and MP.
“The proposed development will blend into the local street scene integrating with the existing street lighting poles.”
The full Bromley Council statement said: “Whilst we understand that there may be various comments that residents wish to share, this is an application for prior approval where the council is only able to consider the siting and appearance of a proposal.
“Government planning guidance advises that applications for telecommunications developments must be determined on planning grounds only and should not seek to set health safeguards different from the International Commission guidelines for public exposure.
“Interested residents who wish to comment on the siting and appearance of the proposal are able to do so as part of the ongoing planning process via the ‘Online Applications’ page on the Council’s website.”
