Some local residents, business owners, stakeholders and councillor are petitioning the council against proposals for a new phone mast to be installed close to a Northfield school and homes, with one local man calling the “eyesore” a “kick in the teeth” for the area.
It is proposed that a 20 metre tall Hutchinson 3G telecommunications monopole and associated cabinets be installed on the grass verge in front of the Reynolds and Reynolds building, opposite The Meadows Primary School – on Bristol Road South.
A petition letter opposing the proposals has so far attracted over 130 signatures, meaning a spokesperson will now be able to appear before Birmingham City Council planning committee before they make a decision.
‘Poor attempt at consultation’
Local resident and community activist Jason Bejai said the council failed to notify and engage in any meaningful consultation with those who would be affected by the installation.
Mr Bejai, who lives nearby but had received no notification, found out about the proposed mast by chance. A local shopkeeper mentioned they had received a planning letter from the council and, knowing he was active in the community, asked his advice on how to challenge it.
He said he was surprised at the lack of consultation locally, with only a few of the nearby commercial premises having received a notification – yet planners seemed to have contacted irrelevant stakeholders, such as Pebble Mill & Edgbaston Group.
Mr Bejai said: “The letters that a few businesses did receive could easily have been unseen due to closures because of the pandemic or dismissed and discarded, since they were labelled as ‘Bristol Road South, West Heath’ rather than Northfield.”
‘The Forgotten Mile’
He said the stretch of Bristol Road South between Northfield Business Improvement District and the new St Modwen development at Longbridge had been overlooked for years.
Mr Bejai said that the green space was used by some to sit on the bench or to exercise and the installation would impact upon this use. He said: “Many of us feel that this proposed eyesore is another kick in the teeth to the neglected, ‘Forgotten Mile’, where we are again being ‘done to’ without consultation.”
However, applicants for the Three network claim the installation would not affect the visual amenity of the area. In supporting documents, they state: “The proposed works are not to the visual detriment of the surrounding area […]. The proposal would not result in demonstrable harm to the character of the immediate or wider area, but are vitally necessary to ensure improved delivery of service. Capacity and coverage are the key drivers for this new 5G installation. The proposal would respect and continue to maintain the character of the area.”
No support for conspiracy theories
Mr Bejai stressed that his opposition to the mast was not a protest supporting 5G conspiracy theories. He said: “We have absolutely no interest in linking this objection to theories on COVID-19.
“Some other countries in Europe as well as some US states have either banned these types of masts in residential areas or require them to be positioned and disguised so as not to be an eyesore.
“Our objections are based solely on the grounds of aesthetics, the lack of consultation, the proximity of the installation to a school and homes, as well as some concern over potentially unknown health issues.”
Local councillor says ‘residents need to be heard and included’
Cllr Olly Armstrong (Labour, Northfield) said: “I am standing alongside my fellow residents to call for a halt to this work. This is about more than a phone mast: this is about a community once again feeling they are not included or heard in decisions that impact them.
“Just like concerns over the proposed build on the local golf course, and regular issues around school traffic and parking in the area, residents feel once again ignored.
“In response to their concerns, I have set up an online letter they can co-sign to act as a petition, and spoken with many residents and business across the area by phone, email and social media. I have also spoken to the leader of the council and the planning department about this, passing all concerns and complaints on.
“It’s time, we the residents of Northfield, are heard and included in decisions that impact our lives.”
‘Community first’
MP for Northfield Birmingham Gary Sambrook (Conservative) said: “No planning issue is too small for residents to be consulted on. The council need to put the community first on issues like this and make sure people directly affected by them are made aware, consulted and listened too. I urge anyone who opposes this mast to sign the Petition and have their voice heard.
“I would like to stress Mr Bejai’s point though, that there is no link at all between 5g and Covid-19 and we all need to do our part to stop the spread of disinformation around it.”
Have Your Say
- Signatures can still be added to the petitions letter up until its submission on 9th June. View
- Planning application and supporting documents can be viewed on Birmingham City Council’s planning portal (search application number: 2020/03248/PA). Comments must be submitted by Thursday 4th June. View
There are plenty of park lands in and around Northfield to put the masts
We do not want this in our area where our children go to school . Move it to green belt area , that does not affect the health of our families