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Apr 01, 2024

We're furious after 65ft

RESIDENTS are furious after a 65ft-high 5G phone mast was put up WITHOUT permission and was not switched on for ten months. The pole was installed by Three network and erected on Bluebell Road in

RESIDENTS are furious after a 65ft-high 5G phone mast was put up WITHOUT permission and was not switched on for ten months.

The pole was installed by Three network and erected on Bluebell Road in Ashford, Kent, in September last year.

Ashford Borough Council (ABC) rejected the plans in 2021 after residents expressed their concern over the location, possible health issues and it being an eyesore.

However, Three said the council did not refuse the application within the given deadline and so the company felt entitled to go ahead.

'Appalled' local residents say that on top of their anger at the unexpected installation, the tower was not switched on for ten months.

One said: "Ten months on and while the mast is still here it has not been switched on.

"Why? When will it be? If it's not used, will the mast be removed?

"Currently we have the worst of both worlds: all eye-sore and no benefits."

Despite some controversy, many residents supported the installation of the mast to improve poor local phone signal.

In August 2022, more than 140 people in the Park Farm and Bridgefield areas signed a petition calling for a "long-overdue" 5G mast to be installed near their homes.

The first plans for a telecoms mast were floated by the network in 2011, but the scheme failed to pan out - sparking a decade-long battle for a new mast.

A Three spokesperson said: "5G rollout is vital for residents and businesses of Ashford.

"We want to offer the community a reliable network experience and this site will be critical to making that happen.

"This site is now live and our customers will be begin to experience the benefits of our 5G network."

The Sun has contacted Ashford Borough Council for comment.