Worried villagers on north Cornish coast call out EE over 55ft 5G tower
EE says the mast will enhance network coverage and capacity in the Cubert area
Villagers on the north Cornish coast are concerned about the visual impact a 17m (55ft) 5G mast tower will have on the “pristine skyline” and a Grade I listed church spire.
Cubert Parish Council, which opposed a planning application by EE, has said that residents have also expressed possible health concerns connected to the 5G mast which will be installed near Cubert’s village hall.
5G, like 4G and Wi-Fi, uses non-ionising electromagnetic fields. Levels are typically well within guidelines.
Cornwall Council’s planning department decided last week that prior approval was not required for the tower, meaning it is “permitted development” allowed under national law.
A supporting planning statement said: “The purpose of this site is to provide EE Ltd customers improved 3G, 4G and later introducing 5G coverage as well as capacity to Cubert and surrounding areas, as well as introducing the same coverage and capacity to the surrounding businesses and residents who currently see limited coverage.
“It is acknowledged that the site is located within the setting of the Grade I listed Church of St Cubert and Grade II listed Cubert vicarage. However any harm (as such less than substantial) is outweighed by the significant public benefits.”
The mast site will also form part of the Home Office’s Emergency Services Network (ESN), providing mobile coverage for the emergency services in some of the most rural and remote parts of the UK.
EE said it had looked at around 30 alternative sites, none of which were suitable.
The parish council objected last November, noting “there seems little advantage in terms of signal availability to parishioners”.
“Parishioners have expressed possible health concerns from the proposed placement of this 5G tower. The parish council has serious concerns over the effect on setting of the Grade I listed Cubert church spire.
“There are also alternative sites available where there is an existing tower not more than 0.6 of a mile from the proposed site and a new tower is being installed which would better serve our parishioners in Holywell Bay.”
James Wilton, who lives in Cubert, contacted us on behalf of concerned residents.
He said: “The tower will spoil the pristine skyline of the village and its Grade I listed church. It will be built at close proximity to a primary school, meaning potential health effects and, most crucially, won’t even do anything for the signal dead zone down the hill at Holywell Bay.
“The main thing is the benefit versus the cost. The improvement of signal isn’t going to be that substantial for the village and it’s only going to be EE customers who benefit. We’ve already got a 4G tower that is less than a mile away.”
Mr Wilton added: “Cubert is a really beautiful village on the top of a hill and it’s got a stunning Grade I listed church which can be seen from miles around.
“They want to put in this tower which is going to be just about as high as the church on the crest of a hill, so it’s going to really dwarf this listed structure. There’s been heavy objection against it in the village – on the estate where I live, we’re all very concerned about it.
“There’s a very strong sense that this is being done against our will and it’s corporate power overriding community feeling.”
On Cornwall Council’s planning portal there are 21 comments objecting to the mast, with two in support
Richard Barker wrote: “From a visual and landscape perspective, the proposal is wholly inappropriate. Cubert is surrounded by open countryside, with ample alternative locations far from residential areas.
“Placing a 17m mast directly within the village, despite the availability of less intrusive sites, appears unnecessary and poorly justified.
“The village is well known for its distinctive skyline, especially the way the church sits prominently on the hill. A mast of this scale would be highly visible from many directions and would undermine the historic and picturesque character that defines the area.”
Holly Thompson said: “Community consultation has been negligible given the highly sensitive location, placing a mast beside the village hall and close to a primary school. EE should have carried out more thorough and transparent community consultation. The lack of meaningful engagement has caused understandable concern among residents.”
Kai Ives added: “Cubert Village Hall sits in a well-used and highly visible part of the village. The rural setting and open streetscape would be overshadowed by an industrial-looking mast that is completely disproportionate to the surrounding buildings and green spaces.”
However, Frazer Mountford supported the proposal. He said: “The submitted photo montages demonstrate that the mast is not visible from the Grade I listed Church of St Cubert and only minimally visible from most residential areas, with screening from vegetation and buildings.
“While the mast is seen from certain approaches and footpaths, this impact is localised and read in conjunction with existing vertical features such as telegraph poles. Any visual harm is therefore less than substantial.
“The applicant has also demonstrated a thorough site selection process, reviewing 30 alternatives and discounting them for valid reasons including topography, heritage conflicts and planning risk. Cubert Village Hall was chosen as the least harmful viable site, with the mast height set at the minimum required to deliver coverage.
“This mast will provide essential 4G and 5G coverage to Cubert and surrounding areas, addressing long-standing gaps in service. It will also form part of the Emergency Services Network, making it critical infrastructure for public safety.”
An EE spokesperson told us: “Reliable mobile connectivity is needed and wanted by many residents, businesses and the emergency services throughout Cubert, but this is only possible if the right infrastructure is in place.
“This mast will enhance network coverage and capacity in the Cubert area, delivering for the local community. We always seek to minimise visual impact when we’re building new masts or upgrading equipment, adhering to all planning regulations in the process.”