Agenda item - Items Referred From Council

Petition referred from the last meeting of Full Council held on 3 February 2022 (copy attached).

i.               Rhian Evans - Protect Dyke Road Park and surrounds from the installation of telecommunications masts (including 5G)

75.1 The petition referred from Council regarding Dyke Road Park was raised by the Chair and the following response was given:

Thank you for your petition.

The Article 4 Direction you’re seeking is a measure available to councils to withdraw permitted development rights. These rights cover 5G Masts which normally require prior approval. Prior approval limits the number of matters that can be considered by the local planning authority in deciding these applications – in this case, siting and appearance.

National policy sets the rules for putting an Article 4 Direction in place and these were tightened last summer. Robust and clear evidence is required to justify that without removing those rights there would be wholly adverse impacts. It goes on to state that local planning authorities should not impose a ban on new electronic communications development in certain areas (5G), or impose blanket Article 4 directions over a wide area or a wide range of electronic communications development.

You raise concerns about health matters, I’m advised that all proposals for new 5G Masts and equipment must provide evidence that International Commission guidelines are met on health and safety for people and the environment.

With this context, the request in the petition for an Article 4 Direction to cover Dyke Road Park would be extremely unlikely to be successful. For that reason, though I understand your concerns, I propose your petition for noting only.