THE borough council's decision to reject four 5G masts for Basingstoke have been challenged. 

CK Hutchinson is appealing against the council’s decision to deny permission for masts on land at footpaths off Woodbury Road, Oakridge Road, Norn Hill, and Buckingham Parade.

These applications were rejected by the council in January and February this year.

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The council said in its decision notice that these masts by virtue of the scale, height, and positioning in close proximity to residential houses, “would form an unsympathetic form of development that would not positively contribute to the character and appearance of the area” and “would be detrimental to visual amenity”.

The council officers also said the developments were contrary to the National Planning Policy Framework (2021) and the Basingstoke and Deane Local Plan 2011-2029.

However, CK Hutchinson decided to appeal against the decisions.

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Cllr Andy Konieczko, the council's cabinet member for strategic planning and infrastructure, was contacted for a comment about CK Hutchinson’s move to appeal against the council’s decision.

In response, a council spokesperson said: “The council has been in touch with some of the major operators and their agents over the past few months to understand their forward plans for 5G masts in the borough, and this work is continuing.

“In the meantime, operators may choose to appeal existing decisions.”