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Plans have been put forward for a colossal 5G phone mast in a residential street - which would be equivalent, in height, to almost five stacked double decker buses.
Scores of people living in Queenborough Road in Halfway, on Sheppey, have objected to the proposals, which would see the 65ft pole installed right outside their homes.
They have written to Swale council voicing their concerns over the proposed “eyesore” and potential health issues.
A planning application to put up the 20-metre tall mast was submitted to the council by CK Hutchison Networks (UK) Ltd.
The firm wants the pole to go on a narrow piece of land near to the junction with Field View Close, with six antennae and three equipment cabinets.
Jean Kittle, who has lived in Queenborough Road for more than 40 years, said she was shocked to learn of the plans.
The 78-year-old added: “I’m not happy about it. Apart from it being very unsightly, it will be too close to all the houses surrounding it and right on a main road.
“It will definitely spoil my view as its proposed position is almost directly in front of my property. It’s not the slimness of the pole, it’s the antennas at the top and all the boxes around the bottom.”
She added: “It also makes me feel concerned about people’s health, living so close to it.
“We’ve got a field further down the road, why can’t they put it there? Why do we need to put it so close to houses?”
Neighbour Mrs North echoed her concerns over health.
She said: “It’s going to look awful but the biggest fear is the health side of things – no-one really knows the impact and the World Health Organisation (WHO) is worried about them.
“WHO together with the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) has classified all radio frequency radiation, of which mobile signals are a part, as ‘possibly carcinogenic’. This is very worrying as it is a built up area.”
Seventeen other nearby residents have also objected to the plans.
Lynn Gilbert, whose home is directly opposite where the mast is planned to go, said: “We’ve got to fight for this. I don’t want it there. It’s going to be ugly and I’m not sure of the health risks.
“I’ve only lived here three years – would I have bought this if I’d known that would be out the front? I don’t think I would. It just makes you so worried.”
Jan Peacock, who has lived in Queenborough Road for more than 40 years, added: “We just don’t want it. Why plant it here? There’s plenty of other places that it could go.”
"It’s going to overshadow, it’s overlooking every other property, and you’ve only got to get someone hit it and it’s going to be a nasty accident."
Linda and Terence Soan, who have also lived in the road for more than 40 years, worry the mast could lead to a “nasty” crash if plans are approved.
Mrs Soan, 73, said: “Firstly, it’s going to be an absolute eyesore. It really shouldn’t be that close to houses.
“It’s going to overshadow, it’s overlooking every other property, and you’ve only got to get someone hit it and it’s going to be a nasty accident.”
Mr Soan, 76, added: “It’s 65ft high so if it was to come down, it would hit a house. I don’t think it should be near a major road.”
To view or comment on the plans, use the reference: 21/504347/TNOT56 here.
