A proposal for a new 20 metre tall Hutchinson 3G telecommunications monopole close to a Northfield school and homes is to go ahead, despite being described as an “eyesore” and a “kick in the teeth” for the area.
Birmingham City Council Planning Committee examined the proposals today (Thursday 18th June). A petition letter signed by 188 people opposing the proposals was presented to the committee, along with the concerns of local residents and stakeholders.
After consideration, the committee voted not to oppose the installation by three votes to two. Three other committee members abstained from the vote.
The proposed monopole and associated cabinets will be installed on the grass verge in front of the Reynolds and Reynolds building – opposite The Meadows Primary School – on Bristol Road South.
‘Poor attempt at consultation’
Local resident and community activist Jason Bejai had said that 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.
At planning committee, Cllr Julie Johnson (Labour, Weoley & Selly Oak) echoed Mr Bejai’s concerns regarding consultation due to the possibility that letters addressed ‘West Heath’ rather than ‘Northfield’ may have been disregarded by locals.
Cllr Johnson voted against the installation.
‘The Forgotten Mile’
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 claimed the installation would not affect the visual amenity of the area. In supporting documents, they stated: “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.”
Previous statements from local politicians:
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.”
- View the petition letter
- The plans can be viewed on Birmingham City Council’s planning portal (search application number: 2020/03248/PA)
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I think our council is an absolute disgrace. They definitely do not care about the residents and are deaf, blind and stupid. If they did care they would implement the will off the people. Instead they think they are the powerhouse of our city. We should prove them wrong and tell them they are there to SERVE US not the other way round. If they can’t do the job we employed them to do for then we should sack the lot of them. If I was an employee and I worked like that, would I still have a job? I very much doubt it, I’d be OUT ON MY EAR.
I assume we’re talking about 5G and not 3G as quoted in the headline?
As for the committee voting on the proposal, why did three of three of them abstain? Surely its their duty to vote one way or the other rather than chicken out!
As for the decision, well I wouldn’t trust the council to blow up a balloon quite frankly. They don’t listen to residents (unless its in their own interests – ie. election time), and probably don’t really care about phone masts because it doesn’t affect them directly.
Career politicians is all most of them are – you see it at national government level, and at local. Wouldn’t surprise me if a few brown envelopes were involved too – perish the thought!
Residents need to promote a more specific response to planning decisions such as the above: we all know that the existing planning system does not serve the local community. The current destruction of the listed King George V former pub is a good example: when we ask the same department (Planning) to use their statutory powers to prevent the decline, nothing happens.
Crowd funding for legal action by local people is the way forward – there is a limit to what elected councillors and MPs can do