Residents in a town on the Isle of Wight have been left furious and bewildered after a towering 43-foot telecommunications mast suddenly appeared on a busy roundabout. The structure, installed on behalf of mobile networks Three and EE, has been branded a 'monstrous' eyesore and is now at the centre of a major planning row.
Council Launches Enforcement Case Over Mast
The local authority, Newport and Carisbrooke Parish Council, has confirmed the mast is in breach of planning control. Officials stated that the structure, located on a roundabout in Newport, exceeds permitted development rights usually afforded to telecoms operators because it was not designed to minimise its visual impact on the surrounding area.
A council spokesperson said: 'As planning permission has not been obtained for the mast, it is therefore considered to be a breach of planning control. We have asked the operator to contact planning officers to work towards an acceptable resolution.' An enforcement case has now been formally opened.
Controversy Over Size and Lack of Consultation
The controversy stems from the mast's significant size and its sudden, unannounced installation. While planning approval for the site was granted back in 2017, that permission was for a 13-metre high pole to support new antennas and a relocated dish. The scale and appearance of the newly erected 43ft (approximately 13.1m) structure have shocked locals.
Social media erupted with complaints last month, with one resident describing the pole as a 'monstrous erection' and others labelling it a blatant 'eyesore' that disrupts the townscape. The supporting planning application argued the upgrade was needed to improve local 4G coverage and was in line with policies encouraging site sharing, but this has done little to placate angry homeowners.
A Wider Pattern of Telecoms Troubles
This incident on the Isle of Wight is not an isolated case. It echoes recent complaints from residents in Kidderminster, where a new 100ft 5G mast has been causing significant distress since its erection in May.
Homeowners on Hurcott Road there report that the mast, which is anchored by concrete blocks and chains, emits a constant, invasive humming noise 24 hours a day. Situated just 1.8 metres from their gardens, residents fear the structure could be dangerous in strong winds and say the relentless noise has driven them out of their own homes, ruining their quality of life.
These parallel cases highlight the growing tension between the rapid rollout of essential telecommunications infrastructure and the rights and well-being of residents in communities across the UK, raising urgent questions about planning regulations and community consultation.
