A BASINGSTOKE councillor is livid after a telephone network company is submitting second applications to install 5G telecom masts at locations where its previous applications were rejected.

CK Hutchison Networks is applying to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council to install 15m-tall 5G masts in Hatch Warren and Kempshott.

A second application submitted by the same company to install a 15m-tall mast in Winklebury at the former Fort Hill School site was rejected last week, after its first application for 20m mast was refused by officers earlier this year.

The two new applications are to install the 5G masts on a footpath off Woodbury Road in Hatch Warren and the amenity land adjacent to signage for The Kestrel in Buckingham Parade, Kempshott.

READ MORE: Councillor speaks out against proposed 5G mast in Hatch Warren

Councillor Dan Putty said there is only one difference in the new applications – the height of the mast has been reduced to 15m, while the previously rejected applications were all for 20m.

“They have reduced it by five metres. But it is the same location, same problems and we have the same objections,” Cllr Putty said.

“The contractors are just taking us for fools and making a mockery of the application process. It doesn’t make any sense whatsoever to just reduce the height by five metres and keep it at the same location. It was refused last time because it was detrimental to the character of the area.

“I don't know why they come back with another application thinking that ‘oh well, people have already forgotten’ and especially at this time of the year when everybody's busy. I really feel that they are laughing at the communities.

“We are not against infrastructure, but we need infrastructure at the right locations.”

SEE ALSO: Basingstoke council receives application for Winklebury 5G mast

Cllr Putty, who had raised objections to the first application for a 5G mast in Hatch Warren, believes that the proposed plans pose a hazard to children and adults crossing Woodbury Road and could obstruct their view. 

He added that he has suggested other locations further uphill towards the motorway, which he believes would provide the same effect for the 5G masts.

The Kempshott application has received objections from county and borough councillor Stephen Reid, Cllr Andy Konieczko, and former councillor Sean Dillow, while the Hatch Warren application also received objections from Cllr Reid.

A Three spokesperson, on behalf of CK Hutchison Networks, said: “Access to 5G has a vital role to play in boosting local economies, helping residents and businesses get faster and more reliable network coverage. This is why we’re working with Basingstoke and Deane Council to roll out the UK’s fastest 5G network so that we can keep everyone connected both now and in the future.

“While we try to keep mast sites as unobtrusive as possible, they do need to be situated near to where people will be using the service and, in many cases, in precise locations to ensure the widest breadth of coverage. We have assessed the council’s reasons for rejection of the original applications and made changes to the masts we are applying to build. We hope that the council will decide that we have sufficiently addressed these objections.”