Parents protest plans for ‘eyesore’ 5G mast built next to children’s park

By James Mayer, Local Democracy Reporter

Furious parents have slammed plans to build a huge 5G mast between two primary schools and next to a children’s play park.

The mast would be built near Aldrich Terrace Street and Lidiard Road in Earlsfield by CK Hutchison Networks if Wandsworth council approve the plans.

The council has so far received 50 objections since plans were submitted in November.

The mast could pop up just outside Swaby Gardens, a children’s play park – in between Earlsfield Primary School and Beatrix Potter Primary School.

Arabella Simpson, a local Earlsfield mum, said: “I’m not very happy, it’s going to be huge, I can’t see why we really need that much 5G around here.

“This is not the place, this is a park for kids to play in.

“We are going to see it soaring out of our back window and in the park itself.

“I suppose it would be intimidating [for kids], I can’t believe they’re sticking something in the middle of such a busy area.

“I appreciate people need 5G, but we’ve lasted this long without it, why do we have to have it now?”

Local mum Amy Bailey said: “It wouldn’t be nice at all, I would actually be quite put off coming here.

“This is the closest park to us so we’d have to walk to Wandsworth Common which is a bit of a trek.

“It’s a lovely park, there’s so many children that use it so it’s concerning.”

Local dad Tom Lyons who lives opposite where the mast would be said: “A 15 metre steel grey vertical structure will be an eyesore for those living underneath it, those living nearby, those walking through the area and to the many, many families who come to enjoy the playground.

“It will dominate the street scene from every angle.”

Beth Griffin, a 21-year-old nanny, said: “Personally, it doesn’t bother me that much because I haven’t seen much evidence that it is actually a bad thing.

“We’ve got quite a nice square here, perhaps having a high 5G mast isn’t the best of things.

“It’s a big structure. So not necessarily the nicest thing next to a nice bit of green space in a quiet area.”

A spokesman for Three UK, which is owned by CK Hutchison, said: “5G roll-out is vital for residents and businesses in Earlsfield. We want to offer the community a reliable network experience and this site will be critical to making that happen.

“Masts needs to be situated where people will be using the service and, in precise locations to ensure the widest breadth of coverage. We carry out extensive searches and surveys to evaluate all the options.

“From a health and safety perspective, 5G deployment is no different to any other mobile technology.

“We take our obligation to run a safe network very seriously and actively work to ensure that our network remains compliant with international guidelines.”

Wandsworth council will make a decision on the plans soon.