New Reading 5G masts to spring up despite refusals

Phone companies are in the process of providing 5G networks to customers, which requires the installation of masts.

While these installations are considered permitted development, council planning departments can refuse consent if the mast will have an undue impact on an area.

However, telecoms companies have won approval to install masts in two locations in Reading after appealing to the government’s planning inspectorate, which are among four plans it decided on recently.

You can view each application that was decided by the planning inspectorate by typing the reference in brackets into the council’s planning portal.

5G mast to replace rooftop telecoms equipment allowed (221776)

The approved plan for a 5G mast at Bridgewater Close, West Reading. Credit: Circet UK

A plan to add a 5G mast to replace rooftop telecommunications equipment at an industrial estate in West Reading has been allowed.

Phone companies Three and EE had applied to remove telecoms equipment on the roof of a commercial building and install a 5G mast in its place on shrubland at Bridgewater Close next to Kingdom Coffee.

The junction of Portman Road and Bridgewater Close, home of Kingdom Coffee in West Reading. Credit: Google Maps

The scheme was rejected by the council’s planning department due to its impact on the visual character of the area and loss of open green space.

However, planning inspector B Phillips judged that the 20-metre mast would not detract from the commercial character of the area, meaning the project can go ahead.

5G mast near University allowed (221368)

The approved 5G mast at Pepper Lane, Reading. Credit WHP Telecoms

The installation of a 5G mast near the University of Reading has been allowed.

CK Hutchison, which owns the Three mobile network, had applied to install a mast in Pepper Lane between the university’s Russell Building and Grove House.

The project was rejected by the council’s planning department due to its possible impact on trees and proximity to the Grade II listed Blandford Lodge, located on campus.

However, Inspector Phillips concluded that the impacts of the 15-metre mast would be limited, allowing the installation to go ahead.

Conversion of house into HMO in East Reading dismissed (221856)

48 Cardigan Road, Reading. The owner has failed in a bid to convert the house into a HMO. Credit: Google Maps

The owner of 48 Cardigan Road in the University area of Reading has failed in a bid to convert the house into a home of multiple occupation (HMO) for three people.

The owner was hoping to establish a third bedroom in the roof as well, so the house could be let out to tenants.

However, planning inspector B Phillips reviewed the plan, and judged that the bedroom in the roof would not provide adequate living conditions for a future occupier.

Inspector Phillips also concluded the conversion into a HMO would result in a loss of family housing.

Status of building near church confirmed as home (200036)

A Google Earth image of 551b Oxford Road, Reading, located to the rear of the old Grovelands Baptist Church. Credit: Google Earth

The status of a building to the rear of the old Grovelands Baptist Church has been confirmed as a home.

The owner of 551b Oxford Road was seeking to get legal confirmation that the building is a standalone dwelling.

However, this status was refuted by the council’s planning department, which was exploring enforcement action to be taken against the owner and refused to issue a legal certificate.

The block plan of 551b Oxford Road, Reading in relation to the street scene. Credit: Colony Architects

The owner was able to give evidence that 551b has been a separate home since at least 2000, with its own separate electricity, water and drainage connections, separate billing and a separate Council Tax rating.

Inspector Stephen Hawkins sided with the owner, therefore granting them a lawful development certificate.