WORKS to install a 5G mast have begun in Basingstoke after a planning inspector decided in favour of a mobile network provider which appealed against a council decision.

As previously reported, CK Hutchinson had appealed against Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council’s decision to deny permission for 5G masts in Woodbury Road, Oakridge Road, Norn Hill, and Buckingham Parade in Basingstoke.

These applications were initially rejected by the council in January and February 2023, because of their location near residential houses, and by virtue of its scale, height and appearance.

However, a planning inspector who visited the sites on March 25 this year deemed them perfectly acceptable and overturned the council decisions.

READ MORE: Decision to reject four 5G masts in Basingstoke challenged

Now, CK Hutchinson has begun work on the installation of these 5G masts.

CK Hutchinson is the parent company of Three which provides the 5G mobile network. 

Workers in hi-viz jackets were seen preparing to insert the 15m street pole and additional equipment cabinets in Norn Hill.

Jill Scuffham, one of the residents who live near the Norn Hill site, said she was upset to see that the town has no say over what happens to the 5G masts.

“We appreciate that CK Hutchinson is a multi-billion pound organisation, and by virtue of this can tread on us little people at will. We are just a pin-prick on a map to them.

“While we know we have now lost this battle, it is very worrying to think that we, as a town, have no eventual say over what happens here.  And what will be next?

“Hutchinsons are bulldozing ahead to insert many more of these masts, in wholly inappropriate locations - perhaps we should change our affectionate nickname from 'doughnut city' - to 'pin-cushion paradise'.”

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She added: “While we appreciate the town needs to upgrade to 5G, there are many other locations like business parks, leisure parks, allotments, waste ground, railway sidings etc. that would be more appropriate and cause less intrusion to residents.

“Surely some consideration should be given to the people who have to live with these in plain sight?”

A Three UK spokesperson said: “To ensure residents and businesses of Basingstoke and Deane experience a reliable network, 5G rollout is vital. 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.”