By Newbury Reporter – newsdesk@newburynews.co.uk
Mobile telecom companies are facing a fierce kickback from communities in West Berkshire over plans to build hundreds of 5G telecom towers near people’s homes.
Relaxed planning laws also mean masts as high as Nelson’s Column will be going up over the region’s Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.
West Berkshire Council says it has received 80 new mast applications since 2020 and says many more are in the pipeline.
A phone mast on the junction of St John’s Road and Link Road in NewburyA phone mast on the junction of St John’s Road and Link Road in Newbury
The council is powerless to step in, as the Government has relaxed planning restrictions to enable the rollout of 4G and 5G across the country.
It allows the telecom companies to erect masts where they see fit.
