Lewes 5G Mast Back Before Councillors As Long-Running Planning Row Continues

A controversial 5G mast in Lewes is set to return to the planning committee next week, as councillors once again decide whether it should be allowed to stay.

Lewes District Council’s planning committee will meet on Wednesday 11 June to consider a fresh application for retrospective permission for the 18-metre mast on Nevill Road.

The structure has already been built — but in the wrong place, a few metres south of its approved location — prompting years of planning disputes.

Normally, 5G masts fall under permitted development rights, meaning they can be installed without full planning permission.

But because this mast was not built where it was supposed to be, the developer must now secure permission after the fact.

The committee last discussed the application in June, when councillors unanimously voted to delay a decision.

They asked the developer, Cignal Infrastructure UK Ltd, for more information and also sought legal advice on whether they could refuse to consider the application altogether.

Planning rules allow councils to “decline to determine” applications if similar ones have been rejected in the past two years.

However, council officers say this approach is not appropriate in this case and may not be legally workable, as the applicant would still be able to appeal.

This is the company’s second attempt to secure permission.

The first was refused in October 2023 on visual impact grounds, and that decision was later upheld by a planning inspector — but only because the applicant had submitted an incorrect and incomplete safety certificate.

The inspector said the documentation on radiation safety was “highly inadequate” but also noted that the mast’s appearance could be improved by painting it green.

The new application was submitted at the council’s invitation to fix those issues.

Officers say it now meets international safety standards (ICNIRP) and includes further detail on radiation exclusion zones and the mast’s proximity to Wallands School.

More than 100 objections have been submitted, many raising concerns about health risks.

Officers warn that these objections would be difficult to defend, as national planning policy prevents councils from imposing health standards beyond internationally recognised guidelines.

A report to councillors states:

“The local planning authority has fully considered the perception of risk to health… [but] should not set its own health safeguards that go beyond the International Commission guidelines.”

Councillors will decide next week whether the mast can remain in its current location.

The application can be viewed under reference SDNP/25/00266/FUL on the South Downs National Park planning portal.