Plans for a controversial fifteen-metre high 5G mast have been rejected by Reading Borough Council.

Dozens of objections were made by residents after Three UK applied to build the phone tech next to Emmer Green Playing Fields in April.

Now the council have denied the proposal due to its appearance, an absent planning certificate and a lack of alternative sites put forward by the developer.

A Three spokesperson said: “We want to offer the community a reliable network experience and this site will be critical to making that happen.

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“While we try to keep mast sites as unobtrusive as possible, they need to be situated where people will be using the service and, in many cases, in precise locations to ensure the widest breadth of coverage.

“We are considering the council’s reasons for refusal and assessing our options.”

The council received 40 objections from neighbors, calling the mast ‘overbearing,’ ‘intrusive’ and ‘a blot’ on the proposed site at the junction of Grove Road and Kidmore End Road.

Issuing its decision notice, the council agreed the “height and bulk” of the pylon meant it would detract from the appearance of the area and that Three should consider sites that are less “visually intrusive.”

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Supplementary information submitted with the application on behalf of Three claimed the contrary: “The proposed design has been selected to minimise visual impact upon the streetscape by integrating with the existing built environment. The design of the proposed antenna and ground-based cabinets is considered to be the least visually intrusive option available.”

The planning officer wrote the proposal was also refused because it lacked “a valid certificate” from the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection.

Councillor for Emmer Green’s Ward, Harry Kretchmer, said: “While we are fully in support of improved connectivity, it cannot be at the expense of local residents.

“This is one of the last green spaces in the area and an historic beauty spot. The company’s claims of a ‘slimline design’ seemed totally out of step with the submitted plans.

“It’s also heartening that local residents’ concerns are finally being heard.”

The site does not fall within a conservation area.

Reading Borough Council advised the developer assess alternative sites where the mast would have less of a visual impact and to seek pre-application advice from the Local Planning Authority before making an application.