Residents' anger as 5G mast erected without warning on Coventry street

Mobile network Three has been told to take the mast down or submit a retrospective application



A Coventry resident has spoken of her anger after a mobile phone network set up a "monstrosity" of a 5G mast just feet from her home.

Helena Clifford first noticed something was happening just after 8am on a Sunday morning when workmen began digging near her garden on William Groubb Close, Binley.

A mast was soon erected in the spot, and to add insult to injury, it has been done "unlawfully" according to the council, as it did not gain the correct permissions.

Three Mobile, who are behind the "eyesore", have been told to remove all evidence of the mast within 28 days.

However, as they are allowed to do so, the company says it plans to submit retrospective planning permission which potentially could see the mast remain.

Mrs Clifford says if this precedent is set, we will soon be inundated with illegal masts which could "ruin Coventry".

She told CoventryLive: “Work was being done, Sunday morning, 8.15am, which is a good time as everyone was in bed, and we weren’t notified. The workmen told us they were putting a mast up and we thought it was a joke.

“It’s an eyesore, a monstrosity, and it's unlawful. Everybody is up in arms about it. I’m angry.

"It’s been put on a small green space which is important for residents, particularly during lockdown when people in flats used it as they didn’t have gardens. The workers have made a complete mess of it as well.

"If it was in a more appropriate place, then fair enough but not in a residential area, with lots of houses and three schools - it’s 12ft, 3 inches from my property."

She said: "I love my house and I love my garden but if this goes ahead I’m going to move - and I know some residents have said they’ll stop paying their council tax.

"The company are looking for retrospective planning permission, if the council give them a second chance how many more are going to be put up illegally? This could ruin Coventry."

What's the matter, are they worried it'll affect their vaccinations?

Victory for residents as council calls for Coventry 5G mast to be taken down

Residents living in a quiet street in Coventry have won a victory after Coventry City Council ordered Three mobile to take down a 5G mast put up unlawfully last year.

Helena Clifford of William Groubb Close in Ernesford, has been campaigning to have the mast taken down after it was erected just feet from her property in November.

The "monstrosity" was put up by mobile giant Three but the company did not obtain the correct planning permissions.

The council ordered the mobile network to take down the mast or apply for retrospective planning permission.

Three reapplied correctly, but after efforts from Mrs Clifford and her neighbours, the council has now refused the application saying the mast is "over-bearing".

Speaking of the outcome, a jubilant Mrs Clifford said: "It's definitely a success. I feel Coventry City Council' s planning department made the right decision by refusing it.

"Now I want it taken down as soon as possible. I want an exact date so I can be here to make sure it's done, and I want the council here to make sure the site goes back to exactly how is was before.

"I've been campaigning for months. This has been unlawful - it is an eye-sore and a monstrosity. The land they've put it on is a small green space which shouldn't have been built on.

"If they'd asked us in the first place it would never have been built.

"I know Three has the right to appeal but I can't see how it will be successful.

"I knew it was wrong, and this goes to show if you have the mindset and determination you can do it. Now they have two months to take it down or they will get a fine - I think they should be fined for putting it up unlawfully in the first place."

A Coventry City Council spokesman said: “The development has been judged as being over-bearing and out of keeping with the adjacent residential area and has been refused.

"An Enforcement Notice has been issued requiring the removal of the development within 2 months. The applicant still has the right of appeal against the refusal or against the Enforcement Notice.”

Three, who initially apologised for going ahead with the work without the correct permission, say they will now review their options.

A company spokesman told CoventryLive: “5G rollout is vital for residents and business of Coventry. We want to offer the local area a great network experience and this site is an important part of delivering improved coverage and capacity for customers.

"We will review our options which will include the possibility of submitting an appeal."