Local Councillors are calling upon B&NES Council to scrutinise a planning application for a 5G mast on Church Lane, Midsomer Norton, that could end up being 18 metres high.

Councillor Shaun Hughes (Midsomer Norton North, Independent) says he will be asking questions of the local authority after some were caught unaware by the plans. In its application, H3G (Three) have said that pre-consultation was initiated with B&NES Council, but that ‘to the best of our knowledge, no formal response has been received’.

The earliest resident’s response was logged on 22nd May, but there were then none at all until a flurry of comments (both for and against) as word got out from 8th June last week. The consultation closed last Friday, 11th June with a decision due in early July.

Councillors Shaun Hughes and Chris Watt (Midsomer Norton Redfield, Conservative) have ‘called in’ the decision, which would mean, if agreed to go ahead, that the planning committee would have to vote on the plans.

Radstock’s 5G mast was not called in and was ‘rubber stamped’.

In its planning application, Three say: ‘In these unprecedented times, high-speed mobile connectivity is the lifeblood of a community, facilitating educational benefits, providing access to vital services and improving communications with the associated commercial benefits for local businesses, enabling e-commerce and working from home, as well as enjoying access to social media and gaming.’

The company are also quoting from B&NES’ 2014 Core Strategy that records a need for better broadband infrastructure locally.

The plans also reveal that other sites in the area had been looked at and discounted, including residential areas at Priory Close, Hayes Park and The Dymboro.

In a formal response to the application, Cllr Hughes said: ‘This would have a serious impact on this historic location and would be a complete eyesore in the centre of our town. This 18 metre high mast would dominate the skyline within our conservation area and would be located adjacent to a vitally important landmark – St John’s Church and Bell Tower. Built around 1150, this is a Grade II* listed building and also the location of the memorial to miners killed in the 1839 pit disaster within the graveyard.

‘The elevated pavement that the applicant wants to place the antenna on is no ordinary pavement – it is a historic pathway connected with the Church and needs to be conserved and protected. The proposed site is also close to a nursery, infant, junior and secondary schools and this path is a busy and vital access point to these schools and to the town centre.

‘This controversial application has raised serious concerns amongst residents regarding the impact on our historic town, pedestrian safety and the effect on our health, wildlife and insect populations.

‘For years, B&NES have disregarded concerns about the appearance of our town – it is vital that the remaining historic nature of our town is conserved.’

Cllr Hughes told The Journal that the mast is a “controversial subject”. He added: “This wouldn’t be dreamt of in Bath – an 18 metre mast will almost rival the 24 metre Bell Tower of the Church. To put this in without any consideration is ridiculous.”