Burnham-On-Sea and Highbridge town councillors have objected against plans to make it easier for phone companies to install 5G phone masts.
The National Association of Local Councils (NALC) has voiced strong opposition to plans by the UK government proposing to simplify the planning rules – called Permitted Development Rights – for new mobile infrastructure such as 4G and 5G masts in order to improve rural network coverage across England.
Members of the Town Council’s Planning Applications Committee have considered the proposed removal of planning restrictions on the 5G mobile network at their latest meeting – and agreed with the NALC position.
Burnham and Highbridge Town Council says: “The view of the committee was that new mast installations and/or changes to existing mast installations should be subject to the usual planning process to enable public scrutiny and to ensure installations are sympathetic to the surrounding environment as far as possible.”
“The purpose of the planning process is not to prevent developments but to ensure they are carried out to an acceptable standard.”
“It was agreed to support NALC’s comments in regard to new-build houses and business to be provided with in-built infrastructure to enable connection to fibre-optic broadband and support the Rural Coalition’s call for infrastructure which reaches rural areas, so the rural economy can grow and create quality jobs.”
