New 5G threat for Combe Haven

A planning application for a 5G telecommunications mast and cabinets has been made for Combe Haven Holiday Park.  This also affects Combe Haven Countryside Park, Harley Shute and Pebsham.  The proposed mast is exceptionally high (23.16 metres, 76 feet), compared with recent ones of 15 m (over 49 feet) that were rejected. It comes with six antennae.  The deadline for comments (set by Hastings Borough Council, HBC) is Friday 8 September. Bernard McGinley reports.

The application is HS/TL/23/00597 for:

Proposed 5G telecommunications installation: Proposed 22.5m monopole supporting 6 no. antenna reaching a maximum height of 23.14m, with ancillary development thereto. | Combe Haven Holiday Park, Harley Shute Road, St Leonards-on-Sea, TN38 8BZ

The applicant is Fresh Wave Facilities Ltd (aka FreshWave Group), through their East Grinstead office. The agent is Rapleys LLP (Manchester office). The Developer’s Notice in the casefile states that the application is to East Riding of Yorkshire Council — which looks like carelessness. Whether it’s invalidating is unclear.

A ‘prior approval’ application (under the General Permitted Development Order) sounds ominous, deterministic — but it still needs to be supported by the necessary evidence to justify the proposed development. However, previous applications HS/TL/23/00446 (near Alexandra Park) and HS/TL/23/00438 (at Warrior Square) were recently refused.   

The council was clear in those recent cases that ‘health risks to local residents’ is not a material consideration — because of par 118 of the National Planning Policy Framework (NPPF). Many casefile documents mention that 5G technology is safe, and cite international standards, notably the guidelines of the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation (ICNIRP, revised in 2020).

Insurance

Many reputable scientists have defended 5G and the field of radiofrequency radiation (RFR).  Others object in good faith to the proposals. One memorable objection states:

In 2011, following appropriate underwriting consideration of the peer reviewed scientific evidence, the UK insurance sector found the risk of harm from electromagnetic fields was so great that it started declining cover to the mobile communications industry. The UK insurance sector has not provided cover to the mobile communications industry since that date. Not only should this decision by the UK insurance sector send huge alarm bells to every UK council and local authority, it also leaves councils and local authorities wide open to liability for causing harm to human health by electromagnetic fields, and the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) has confirmed councils will be liable for this risk. 

On the other hand, the most recent Ofcom measurements published were done at five locations in the vicinity of mobile base stations around central London. They found levels for frequency bands in use by 5G (3.4 GHz) were between 0.0143% and 0.0374% of ICNIRP guidelines.

Grounds & Policies

Last year a mast and cabinets proposed for Little Ridge Avenue (case HS/TL/22/00526) were refused because

the proposal would be detrimental to the visual amenities of the surrounding area. 

Combe Haven Countryside Park has among its objectives:

to promote the health and social well-being benefits that access to high quality green space brings.

So there are good grounds for objection other than alleged health risks. To be valid, proffered comments on a planning application must be material planning considerations. These could include amenity, such as the harm to the setting of the Combe Haven Countryside Park (with its SSSI: Site of Special Scientific Interest).  In HBC’s Planning Strategy are Policy EN7 (Conservation and Enhancement of Landscape) and EN8 (Open Spaces – Enhancement, Provision and Protection).

In the HBC Development Management Plan there are Policies DM1 (Design Principles) and DM2 (Telecommunications Technology) on constraints and appropriateness.

NPPF par 115 is on communications masts.  The National Design Guide possibly offers some scope about settings as well as structures.

Opinions for or against can be sent to Hastings Borough Council, quoting the case reference HS/TL/23/00597. Email comments to dccomments@hastings.gov.uk
The deadline for comment is this Friday – 8 September 2023.  

 

Also in: Home Ground

« New café-bar proposed for Norman Road Saturation Zone
Pier crowdfunder seeks winding-up of the Pier-operating company »