Proposals for mast to go back in front of council

Proposals related to a 5G mast in an East Sussex town are set to go back in front of councillors.

Lewes District Council's planning committee is due to meet on 11 June to consider an application seeking retrospective approval for a 18-metre tall monopole mast in Nevill Road.

The mast is already built but has been at the centre of a planning dispute over the past few years as it was installed several metres south of a location shown in its initial application, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

As a result of this discrepancy, the mast needs to secure full planning permission to remain where it is.

The first attempt was refused by the council's planning committee in October 2023 on the grounds it would be "harmful to the landscape character of the area and detrimental to visual amenity."

The applicant, Cignal Infrastructure UK Ltd, sought to appeal this decision, but a planning inspector dismissed its case in July last year.

According to the planning inspector's written decision, the applicant's declaration did not include the correct company name.

The inspector also said the declaration contained insufficient information about the specific mast and site, describing the overall document as "highly inadequate".

Lewes District Council has seen 93 individual written objections, which raise concerns including its visual impact and location.

Objections also relate to health concerns, its proximity to Wallands School and the fact the previous application had been refused.

Lewes Town Council's own planning committee has also objected to the scheme on similar grounds.

In a report to the committee, a council planning spokesman said: "The certificate has been altered to address the planning inspector's reason for dismissing the appeal, and the applicant is proposing to paint the mast and equipment green."

Planning officers are recommending the scheme be approved.

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