5G Mast Plan Rejected by Reading Council

Reading Council rejects Vodafone’s application to build a 17.5m 5G mast in Caversham.

11:45 16 February 2021

Vodafone’s application to replace a 12.5 mast with a 17.5m high telecommunication pole on Henley Road has been rejected by Reading Council because of “visual harm due to its height and impact on nearby trees.”

Reading Borough Council officers said: “The public benefits of 5G technology and the upgrading of telecommunications infrastructure is noted and has been taken into account when determining the application.

“However, in this particular instance it is not considered that these benefits would outweigh the harm identified in terms of visual amenity or impact on heritage assets and the impact the proposal would have on nearby trees.”

The document added that Vodafone has failed to identify potential alternative sites and prove that the development would not have negative impact on nearby areas.