CHILDREN, dog walkers, adults and councillors came together on Sunday to protest plans to build a 5G phone mast and base station in a Woodley park.
Last year, Wokingham Borough Council rejected plans to build the mast in Vauxhall Park, requested by EE and H3G – the company behind the Three network. The companies appealled to the Government’s planning inspectorate last month.
While the closing date for residents’ comments was Thursday, May 12, campaigners are hoping their show of strength can help persuade the planning inspectorate that the site is unsuitable.
They argue that it takes away green space from the well-used park, and there is space on a nearby industrial estate.
Borough Councillor Shirley Boyt is leading the campaign, and has organised a petition urging Wokingham Borough Council not to sell or lease land for 5G phone masts in any of its public parks.
The rally was to show the strength of feeling among residents, and a sizable crowd turned out despite heavy rain, brandishing placards and using the social media tag #NoMastsInParks.
“Talking from residents here, there’s a lot of passion for Vauxhall Park,” she explained. “There’s a lot of strong feeling against having a mast in the park when it could easily go on industrial land sited very nearby.”
Although there is the likelihood that the leadership of Wokingham Borough Council will change this week, Cllr Boyt is not being complacent.
“We need to find out who in the council has delegated powers to sell off land,” she explained. “Vauxhall Park is borough land, by definition that means it belongs to all of us. Hopefully if there is a change of administration it might be easier to find out.
“We have the petition going at the same time, if we can get to 1,500 signatures we can force a dabte in the council, and then a resolution would be made telling the council not to sell or lease the land to telecoms operators.”
She added that she hoped the council’s grounds for objection would be enough for the planner inspectorate, but there was a wider issue.
“If the mast is allowed here, then no park in the borough would be safe,” she said. “Once you’ve got one, what’s to stop another operator coming along and putting in another one? Before you know it, our beautiful parks are ruined with this infrastructure.”
Among the protestors was Woodley town council Loddon South ward councillor Cllr Majid Nagra, who called for the application process to be made more transparent.
“The telecoms companies should be listening to residents,” he added. “This is a green space. (A mast) will not only affect current generations, but future ones as well.”
And Cllr Nada Al-Sanjari, who sits on Bulmershe and Whitegates ward for Woodley town council, said: “We are really impressed with the turnout. It really shows the mood of the people and how much they’re committed to this cause.
“We keep talking about encouraging children to play outside and how important it is for their mental health. We should be preserving our parks and natural spaces for everyone to use.
“If it goes ahead, it will be fair game for other parks.”
She added: “We’re not opposed to technology, but it has to be sensitive and has to meet the needs of local residents. To have it in the middle of a well-used park, in green spaces? It’s just not viable and shows a lack of consideration for the local community.”
The petition can be signed at woodleylabour.org.uk/protectourparks
