Senior staff and scores of parents have objected to plans for a 5G mast to be erected next to a Bournemouth primary school.

Nic Smith, head of school at Malsmbury Park Primary School, told BCP Council she “strongly” opposed the proposal “in the most vehement terms”.

Phone network Three wants to install the mast in Ascham Road, next to the school boundary and nursery playground.

The telecommunications company’s application for the 15m pole and equipment cabinets has sparked a backlash from the school, parents and residents.

In her objection, Mrs Smith said: “I must strongly oppose in the most vehement terms what an inappropriate, unsuitable and detrimental location has been proposed with regards to the above project.

“We have a number of pupils who are at risk of absconsion from the site, which the proposed location and equipment would only serve to facilitate; furthermore, we have previously had issues with former pupils accessing the school site even over the existing secure perimeter.

“The fact that the proposed location for the boxes housing the equipment and the mast pole itself is directly adjacent to the existing boundary fencing greatly compromises the security of the site, providing an obvious and easy means by which an unauthorised intruder could gain access.”

Bournemouth Echo:

A separate submission from the school collates more than 90 separate objections.

Ian Carnwell, director of operations at Reach South Academy Trust, which includes Malmesbury Park Primary School, told council planners: “I would like to register our dismay and objection to the proposal.

“On numerous safety grounds, this would be a completely inappropriate installation to make which would be on our immediate school boundary, let alone within 300m of a school.

“We would hope that a more appropriate location can be found which is a reasonable distance from the children in our care, to ensure their safety and wellbeing.”

A statement submitted on behalf of Three’s parent company – CK Hutchison Networks (UK) Limited – said the proposed location will “assimilate well into the immediate street scene and not be detrimental”.

The statement said: “Taking into account the site-specific factors and technical constraints, available options and planning constraints, it is considered that the proposed street pole clearly represents the optimum environmental solution to extend coverage to the target community.”

The application is currently being assessed by BCP Council planners.