A Councillor has hit out at anti-5G protesters as “paranoid and delusional cranks” trying to “halt technological progress”. 

Plans to upgrade a mast in Lansdown were refused in December due to the visual impact after hundreds of residents voiced concerns about the “unknown health impacts” of 5G. More than 130 people have since objected to another proposed mast just 60 metres from that site, again with many raising health concerns. Another is proposed in Radstock, with the Town Council recommending refusal of the plans after residents voiced their concerns – safety being one of the issues raised.

Councillor Grant Johnson accused the opponents of spreading “misinformation” and compared them to “anti-vaxxers” critical of the Covid-19 vaccine. 

Public speaker, Martin Grixoni, said the decision to refuse planning permission and the subsequent backlash was damaging Bath’s reputation. He told B&NES Council’s meeting on January 21st: “That push against science is not clever, especially when we’ve got a pandemic on. We’re being ridiculed in the national press. This has to be harmful.” 

In a question to Mr Grixoni, Cllr Johnson asked: “At a time when the world is having to deal with the very real issue of anti-vaxxers when faced with a worldwide pandemic, do you believe that it is acceptable or even appropriate behaviour for anti-5G protesters to try and halt the progress and technological advances in the telecommunications industry based on the spread of misinformation from a small but loud group of paranoid and delusional cranks?” 

Cllr Tim Ball, cabinet member for planning, said there are already permissions for 5G masts in Twerton and at the RUH. 

S. Sumner