A 5G mast has appeared 'out of nowhere' in Ashford – despite having planning permission refused last year.

The 65ft pole, operated by network Three, has been installed on the Park Farm estate along Bluebell Road.

Ashford Borough Council rejected the plans last year after residents raised concerns over the location, possible health issues and the fact the mast would be an eyesore.

But despite being refused, the structure appeared without warning last month opposite Skylark Way.

Park Farm South ward Cllr Jim Wedgbury (Con) said: "I am appalled that a mast has been sited in such an inappropriate location with a complete disregard for locals.

"I have been opposed to phone masts being sited in residential areas and have spent 20 years opposing these applications.

"I have always said any phone masts near Park Farm should be sited by the Cloverleaf roundabout on the A2070, well away from people's homes."

A Three spokesman says the reason the mast was erected is because ABC did not refuse the application within the given deadline, so the company 'claimed deemed consent'.

“5G rollout is vital for residents and businesses in Ashford," they added.

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

Last month, 164 residents in Park Farm and Bridgefield signed a petition calling for a 5G mast to improve signal in the area.

Supporters said a mast was long-overdue and were in favour of better signal as it has become increasingly difficult for residents to work from home.

However, Cllr Trish Cornish (Ashford Independents), who backed the petition, says even she feels the location of the Bluebell Road mast is not ideal.

The Park Farm North representative added: "I am under the impression that there has been an easing in the regulations relating to masts to boost signal throughout the UK as there are many areas, such as Kingsnorth, with more people working from home and experiencing a dip in mobile signal. It is vital that something is done about this.

"I have been campaigning for better signal for my own residents since 2020 and recently supported a petition initiated by Park Farm residents for a mast to facilitate a proper signal.

"The mast that was erected in Park Farm South just a few weeks ago came as a surprise as we know that it had been refused planning permission.

"However, the contractors showed me a valid works permit issued by Kent County Council (KCC).

"All residents on my social media and who have spoken to me don’t want to have the mast removed but unfortunately this particular mast won’t solve the overall problem, as I understand that this is a mast serving only one provider.

"The mast erected in Park Farm South is not in my ward and I can’t interfere as to its fate however many people want it to stay.

"I am not an engineer but surely suitable locations in our area could be found and agreed upon."

A KCC spokesman said the authority "allocated the appropriate road space for this project believing that planning permission had been granted by Ashford Borough Council".

"However, this turned out not to be the case and we instructed the contractors to stop work until permission is granted," he added.

Cllr Neil Bell (Con), portfolio holder for planning and development at ABC, said the authority is looking into the issue.

“An application for prior approval for this mast was refused last year on the grounds that the siting and appearance would cause unjustified visual harm," he said.

"Following the erection of the mast our planning enforcement team have a current investigation into the matter.”

'I'm not an engineer but surely suitable locations could be found...'

A spokesman for Kingsnorth Parish Council said: "We are supportive of improving mobile phone signal across the parish.

"We have not been notified of a new planning application since the previous prior approval application was received and refused by ABC.

"Planning legislation changed earlier this year and it may be that planning permission is not now required, this will be an issue for the ABC planning department."

Earlier this year, KentOnline took an in-depth look at the debate surrounding 5G masts in the county, and whether protesting against them is a help or hindrance to progress.