A SERVICE provider is determined to build a large 5G mast in a conservation area despite previous failed attempts.
Three UK has been accused of “corporate harassment” after appealing for the government to overturn BCP Council’s decision to refuse a 19m mast on a grass verge outside 40 West Cliff Road in Bournemouth.
More than 100 objections were lodged by residents across two applications to build the tower in the West Overcliff Drive Conservation Area.
Applications for an 18m and then a 19m 5G mast were both refused by the council.
In March, officers determined the masts would be an "overly intrusive and visually dominant installation that would be harmful to the area”.
Bournemouth resident Damian Garcia and his family have owned the flats at 40 West Cliff Road for four decades.
He told the Echo the fresh attempts by Three UK were unsurprising.
“This to me just smacks of corporate harassment,” he said.
“They’ve gone for it twice and been refused twice so now it seems they’re done trying to deal with the council and are going to overrule them.
“Our argument has nothing to do with anything about the 5G technology, it’s simply about a big industrial tower being put on the edge of a conservation area.
“Residents and the council have very clear reasons why this shouldn’t go ahead, but they’re trying to overrule it anyway. I think it’s disgusting.”
Three UK previously said that the rollout of 5G was “vital for residents and businesses of Bournemouth” and its most recent application, while one metre taller, “reduced the visual prominence” with a slimmer pole.
The dozens of residents to object were informed via a letter earlier in August outlining the intention to appeal the refusal.
A letter from the Planning Inspectorate read: “An appeal has been made to the Secretary of State against the decision of the local planning authority to refuse planning permission.
“The appeal will be determined on the basis of written representations.”
Interested parties must re-submit their objections by August 30, after which a final decision will be made.
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