STOP THE MASTS: some tips

Make sure you get your objections in to stop them being approved.

Some current and recent proposals are covered here

Every time we stop a mast, it strikes a blow for sanity.

Some general tips on objecting are provided below.

SOME TIPS ON ‘HOW TO OBJECT’

● DO make it clear as to which planning application you are objecting (e.g. 2019/999/TEL56) if not using the online Local Authority system (‘planning portal’) indexed by the number.

● DON’T miss the requested deadline for comments. Some local authorities may consider later comments, but others will not. Make sure your objection counts.

● DO be to the point and keep your objection as short as possible. A Planning Officer will have to read many comments on different planning applications. If yours is rambling, it might just be skimmed through or go the the back of the queue for reading.

● DON’T stray into other local or political matters.

● DO make it easy for the Planning Officer to follow your reasoning. If you are quoting from say, a Council policy or a legal document, concisely spell out the key text, and quote a web link (URL) and a specific para/page – they shouldn’t be expected to look through a whole long document.

● DON’T get personal or overly emotional about the Council, etc. Treat the Planning Officer with the same respect with which everyone should show to you.

● DO give your credentials for objecting e.g.

“As a local resident” (if particularly local, the planning portal might offer choices to tick)

If it’s not clear from your address, it may be useful to add something on the lines of:

“As a regular visitor to…”

“As someone who works in…”

“As someone with family living in…”

“As someone who exercises near…”

“As as conservationist….”

“As a member of a local group…” (which can be a congregation, historical society, allotments users, etc).

● DON’T object on human health grounds alone, although you can mention anxiety caused about health. Objections to the siting and appearance of a mast (e.g.) on visual and amenity grounds (like it being out of character for an area) will be taken into account..

● DO keep your objection to maybe 1 to 4 punchy reasons. An exception might be if you have experience of planning law and can help the Planning Officer identify technicalities for refusing the application.

Stop5G.co.uk have good reference page, and the Larkhall document (DOCX / PDF) raises valuable technical detail points that might apply in some areas.

SOME TIPS ON POSSIBLE CONTENT (with thanks to Jane)

● Site:

• Intrudes on views to park etc

• Proximity to residential homes, schools, care homes, nurseries, too close to

buildings and windows

• Siting could damage trees

• Significant detrimental impact on the historical setting of a conservation area, a listed building or even a ‘building of merit’ (in some local authorities)

• Overbearing and over-massing e.g. Concern at gradual proliferation of large masts

in this location/ too close to other masts and their associated street cabinets or

significant reduction of space to walk etc

• Future regeneration/improvement plans are impaired by siting

● Appearance: design, materials, layout, colour, height, shape, scale, too dominating/overbearing, not in keeping with the character of an area

● Ecological impact: loss of trees & bees, nature conservation, pollution by

electromagnetic frequencies

● Process: health & safety (exclusion zone not specified, lack of risk assessment etc), failure to consult adequately (especially schools), previous planning and appeal decisions. Generally not in keeping with local authority planning guidelines.

THANK YOU FOR YOUR SUPPORT

‘Say No To 5G’ Home Page

Data protection note: Safeguarding privacy, GDPR and your right to object