Councillor says consultation not enough on plans for new 5G phone mast at Wollaston Village Hall
A councillor in Wollaston has slammed a decision to allow the construction of a giant 5G phone mast.
The 20m mast, on land at Wollaston Village Hall, was initially refused by Dudley Council in April 2024 but an appeal to the Government’s Planning Inspectorate overturned the ruling.
Applicant Cornerstone Telecommunications Infrastructure Limited has now applied for a seven-year lease for the council-owned site to begin construction.
Councillor Andrew Tromans said: “I do not feel that Wollaston residents have been consulted properly at all about the decision to place a 5G mast next to the village hall.
“I have raised objections to the siting of the mast relating to the lack of engagement with the community and the loss of a green space used for children’s activities.”
A report on the application said: “The application was advertised by way of neighbour notification letters to surrounding properties and a site notice. No representations were received.”
Councillor Tromans added that he would like to see residents compensated if the construction of the mast cannot be stopped.
The mast was originally intended to be 22.5m tall but was reduced in height after council planners refused permission. A second plan was submitted for 20m.
Planners were equally unhappy with 20m and said it "would appear highly intrusive and bulky when viewed as part of the existing landscape and would result in a visually prominent and incongruous feature".
The Planning Inspectorate found there would be some detriment to the area but added: “The resultant harm would be localised, limited in scale and would amount to less than substantial harm to the setting of the Wollaston Conservation Area.
“A significant public benefit would be delivered through the provision of improved mobile communications networks, which would outweigh the limited, less than substantial harm to the heritage asset which has been identified.”
In a statement for the appeal, WHP Telecoms Ltd for Cornerstone said: “Any perceived impact on amenity the site may have will be outweighed by the many positive benefits that telecommunications bring to the economy and community.”
