18 Metre High 5G Mast Proposed on London Road

Monopole would be located opposite Majestic wine store

Majestic wine store, Brentford. Picture: Google Streetview

A application has been submitted to Hounslow Council to build an 18 metre high 5G mast on London Road, Brentford.

It would be situated outside the Majestic Wine Warehouse next to the Pets At Home store. It would be significantly higher than the trees in front of the store.

As well as the telecommunications mast the application covers ancillary works and a wraparound cabinet at the base.

The planning documentation includes specifications of equipment that was previously made by Huawei which is now banned from being a supplier to the UK’s 5G network. It is not known if this equipment can be supplied by alternative manufacturers.

The application is being made on behalf of the Three telecoms network by Hutchison 3G UK and is to determine if prior approval is required. Telecoms operators can be exempted from the need to submit a full planning application if they can demonstrate they need to build required infrastructure.

Drawing of the mast from planning documentation

The government have advised planning authorities that the scientific evidence does not give any indication of any extra health risk from 5G technology and therefore this would not be considered as valid grounds for an objection.

5G operates across multiple spectrums and therefore requires additional antennas and new equipment cabinets. The signals that are broadcast are more prone to the shadowing effect of adjacent buildings or structures, and also the effect of tree canopies reducing the broadcast range and effectiveness of the antennas. Consequently, the height of the 5G antennas needs to be raised meaning such high masts, dubbed ‘monster masts’ by objectors will become more common. The higher frequencies that 5G will use can provide more bandwidth and thus greater capacity but the signal will not travel as far as those of previous generations. This will mean that more of these masts will need to be built than were needed for previous generations of mobile technology.

The application reference is PA/2020/2816 and if you wish to make a comment use this reference and contact planningcomments@hounslow.gov.uk.

August 28, 2020