News

Jun 23, 2023

Fight launched to stop plans for 'eyesore' 5G mast in Coventry

A firm wants to install a 5G mast on Sutton Avenue Our free email updates are the best way to get headlines direct to your inbox We have more newsletters Our free email updates are the best way to get

A firm wants to install a 5G mast on Sutton Avenue

Our free email updates are the best way to get headlines direct to your inbox

We have more newsletters

Our free email updates are the best way to get headlines direct to your inbox

We have more newsletters

A petition has been launched against plans to build a 5G phone mast in Coventry which critics say is ‘too close to residential properties’. A planning application has yet to be submitted but a city councillor has already objected and launched a petition against it.

Cllr Gary Ridley was made aware after receiving information via the pre-application process. The plans are for a 5G mast on Sutton Avenue in the Woodlands Ward. More than 80 people had signed the petition at the time of writing.

The petition on the city council website states: “Residents are concerned that the proposed 5G phone mast on Sutton Avenue will be located troo close to residential properties. Residents are rightly proud of their area and the proposed mast will be an eyesore. We call upon the council and 5G operators to source alternative locations that are less obtrusive and located further away from residential properties.”

Read more: Crime is falling say Coventry police as cops try to calm fears after claims city is 'worse than Mafia ganglands'

Cllr Ridley, who is leader of the Conservative Group on the council, has also submitted a formal letter of objection to the idea. CoventryLive has attempted to contact the company behind the plans via the surveying firm carrying out the pre-consultation. We have not received a response.

It’s one of a number of proposals for 5G masts in the area. In July, plans were lodged with the council to build a 15-metre high mast in Binley .

Reports submitted as part of the application stated that people generally recognise the merits of high-speed telecommunications and the necessity of 5G masts. Discussing the Sutton Avenue proposals, Cllr Ridley told CoventryLive he is not against 5G masts but urged communications firms to put them ‘in the right place’ to balance the need for communications with the impact on residents.

Another 5G mast will be built in Tile Hill after plans were given the green light on appeal in May by a government inspector. Coventry City Council had thrown out the plans last year over concerns over the mast’s ‘poor’ location and ‘excessive’ height.

For all the latest Coventry news sign up to our daily newsletter.