17.5m-high 5G mast in Galashiels too tall an order for planners

That streetworks tower was being lined up for a roadside verge in King Street, north west of 85 Queen Street, by Livingston’s Harlequin Group, on behalf of EE, to replace its current rooftop mast at Botany Mill in the town’s Roxburgh Street.

It sparked objections from residents of Queen Street and nearby Duke Street, however, with concerns being raised both about its height and alleged health risks.

Objector John Heath, of Duke Street, said: “The tower extends to 17.5m and is in excess of double the height of the nearest buildings and structures.

“The tower will be visible from a considerable distance travelling from north west and south west on the A72, the main arterial route into and out of Galashiels.

“The applicant states that the site will benefit from screening by the adjacent tree. The adjacent tree is considerably lower in height than the proposed tower and therefore screening will be limited.

“The applicant also states that it will ‘not result in a prominent or alien feature that would detract from the existing streetscape’. This statement is challenged on the basis that the height of the proposed tower is far in excess of the adjoining structures.

“The adjoining street lamps are only 8m high so the proposed tower will be 9.5m, or three storeys, higher.”

Fellow objector David Bond, also of Duke Street, questioned the safety of the technology involved, saying: “MMS microwave technology is a public health and safety concern proven by independent research to impact on living organisms negatively, including human beings.

“The people of Galashiels do not support this unsafe ultra-high-frequency microwave technology when faster, safer technology is available.

“Those who choose to inflict on the people of Galashiels harmful technology such as 5G will be voted out of office permanently. Enough is enough.”

Robert Sweeney, a neighbour of the site, also expressed health concerns, saying: “I have worries over both health and noise pollution as the mast would be only 30m from my bedroom in Queen Street.

“Why not move it 30m down, close to the industrial estate?”

Principal planning officer Carlos Clarke upheld concerns about the visual impact of the mast.

Refusing the application under delegated powers, he said: “Bearing in mind the mast is in full public view on both approaches of the A72, the principal road within the town, the visual impact is not considered acceptable, notwithstanding the benefits to be gained from the development.”

Consent for a 15m mast at the same site was previously granted in May 2018.