OUTRAGED residents are petitioning to prevent the construction of a 60-foot 5G mast in Southbourne.

Application for the proposed 18m mast on Stourwood Avenue is underway and local reaction has been considerably negative.

Unsightliness and health risks have been the most cited reasons by residents, who have both submitted complaints and signed petitions.

Stourwood Avenue resident Terence Newcombe said: “This proposed site is totally wrong for unproven and potentially dangerous technology. To suggest that a site close to the cliff top, a public house and many private flat dwellings could be suitable defies logic.”

Fellow resident Kelly Clark said: “Unsightly and unnecessary. I object whole heartedly to the erection of such a large mast in a beautiful, natural location where residents and holiday makers like to bask in the sunshine.”

Clive Jenns, whose property is next to the proposed site, said: “As next-door neighbours to this mast, we strongly oppose this on many grounds. Radiation from mobile phone masts/5G has been argued to have many harmful effects on our health, especially as my partner has already had one bout of cancer. She has had a lot of radiation regularly every two months and is in absolute fear of this mast being erected.”

Other complaints have highlighted that some residents were not informed of the plans, despite the application stating otherwise.

However, some have expressed support for the 5G mast installation. George Martin said: “Much of the area in Southbourne suffers from poor mobile signal and data connection speeds, which many people like myself depend on to work during the day. I would like to show my support for this proposed project as I strongly believe that it will improve Southbourne.”

Another resident said that the plans are “integral” to the area.

Two separate petitions have been arranged by local shop owners to protest the 5G mast plans. They can be found in the Earth Foods and Margery Daw shops in Southbourne.

West Southbourne councillor Robert Lawton, said: “I support those residents who are concerned at the location of this proposed mast, it should be located where it is not obtrusive."

5G, slated to replace current 3G and 4G networks, promises to speed up the rate of data transfer by 100 times or more. However, the subject has become controversial with citizens' groups and some scientists expressing concerns about possible impacts to health. Other scientists have denounced these as conspiracy theories and deem the network as safe as previous iterations.