5G Mast Approved Near Hove Schools Despite Local Opposition
- Sarah Booker-Lewis LDR
- Jan 16
- 2 min read
A 66ft (20-metre) 5G mast is set to be installed at the corner of Dyke Road and The Upper Drive in Hove, following a successful appeal by mobile phone infrastructure company Cornerstone.
The decision comes despite hundreds of objections from local residents, who argued the mast would create “visual clutter” in the area and be too close to nearby schools. Students regularly walk past the site on their way to Cardinal Newman Catholic School, Stanford Infant and Junior Schools, and BHASVIC.
Brighton and Hove City Council originally rejected the plans last June, describing the location as part of the city’s “green gateway” and raising concerns about the impact on street views.
However, an independent planning inspector overturned the council’s decision, ruling that while the mast would affect the character and appearance of the area, the public benefits of a stronger and more reliable 5G network outweighed those concerns.
The inspector, Jeremy Heppell, noted that Cornerstone had explored alternative options, including upgrading existing masts at Quebec Barracks, but found them unsuitable due to space limitations.
He said the proposed ground-based mast was the only feasible solution to improve local telecommunications.
Local opposition included a petition signed by 282 people and 55 individual objections to the council.
Petition organiser Jez Pegg expressed disappointment with the outcome, saying the decision favoured the telecommunications company over residents.
Independent councillor Samer Bagaeen and Conservative councillor Ivan Lyons, who both represent the area, also criticised the ruling.
Councillor Bagaeen said the telecom providers showed little regard for the local community, while Councillor Lyons called for mobile masts to be shared wherever possible and used only as a last resort.
Cornerstone works with major providers including Vodafone and Three, and says the new mast and associated equipment are needed to deliver faster and more reliable 5G coverage in the area.
This is an interesting report on the approval of a new 5G mast near schools in Hove, particularly because it highlights the concerns raised by local residents alongside the planning decision. The discussion shows how telecommunications infrastructure can create debate when new installations are proposed in residential and school areas. For people who enjoy digital entertainment on their phones, mobile games can also make use of modern connectivity for convenient gaming experiences.
من المثير للاهتمام أن هذا القرار لا يتعلق بالبنية التحتية والاتصالات فقط، بل يؤثر أيضًا في البيئة المحيطة بعدة مدارس ومسارات يستخدمها الطلاب يوميًا. عندما تكون المشاريع الجديدة قريبة من المدارس، فمن المهم أن تؤخذ احتياجات الطلاب والأسر والمجتمع المحلي في الاعتبار إلى جانب الفوائد العامة للمشروع. كما أن توفير وسائل اتصال موثوقة يمكن أن يكون مفيدًا للطلاب في عصر يعتمد فيه التعليم بشكل متزايد على الموارد والخدمات الرقمية، لكن التخطيط الجيد يجب أن يوازن بين هذه الفوائد وتأثير المشاريع على المناطق التعليمية والمجتمعات المحلية. ويمكن للطلاب وأولياء الأمور متابعة المعلومات والخدمات الدراسية عبر نظام نور للطلاب وأولياء الأمور. شكرًا على مشاركة تفاصيل هذا القرار والنقاش المحلي حوله.
This is an interesting look at the difficult balance between improving mobile connectivity and responding to local concerns about new infrastructure. The number of objections and the petition mentioned in the article show that the proposal clearly generated strong feelings within the community. I found the planning process particularly interesting, especially the fact that the original council decision was later overturned following an independent appeal. The discussion around alternative sites also highlights how complicated it can be to find locations that improve network coverage while limiting the visual and community impact of new masts. Reliable connectivity is increasingly important, but it is understandable that residents also want developments to be carefully considered in the context of their neighbourhoods. Thanks for…
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