Plans have re-emerged to install a 5G mast by the historic Clapperstile entrance to Bushy Park leading to an outpour of objections from Teddington residents.

Telecom firm Dalcour Maclaren has submitted the application on behalf of H3G (Three UK), just eight months after Richmond Council rejected previous proposals for a 5G mast by the Bushy Park entrance off Queens Road.

The authority rejected the initial application back in August 2022 judging Dalcour Maclaren's 'inappropriate' design of failing to consider buildings in the nearby area of historical significance including the Grade II Listed North Lodge and nearby buildings of Townscape Merit such as Elm Lodge and Victoria House. The Clapperstile entrance to Bushy Park dates back to at least 1894.

Richmond Council deemed plans 'incongruous' and that the 'overbearing form of development would cause unacceptable harm to the visual amenities, character and appearance of the local area'.

Initial plans for the 5G mast which were rejected by Richmond Council in August 2022 (Credit: Dalcour Maclaren)

However, the company has now returned with an updated proposal which it believes has considerably reduced the mast in size and scale 'as far as practicable'.

Within its updated planning report, Dalcour Maclaren stated: "Whilst the applicant accepts that the height of the installation will result in a visually intrusive feature on the landscape, the apparatus has been 'scaled-back' as far as practicable, with the slimmest monopole with the smallest headframe proposed for deployment, as well as the minimum amount of equipment cabinets to allow the base station to operate.

"The proposed apparatus only serves one function – to provide mobile network coverage to the local area. The equipment has no other function. As such, the appearance of the equipment, and the height of the equipment, is dictated by functionality and technical constraints."

The firm continues: "It is considered that the proposal in front of the Council is acceptable, as this development will ensure local network coverage is improved at a time where it is becoming apparent that a significant proportion of the national workforce are opting to adopt a more hybrid-style of working – with many returning to an office environment for only a small proportion of the working week.

"As such, the necessary infrastructure must be deployed in order to assist with this hybrid working, with this typically occurring in a predominantly residential setting. The local community, at Teddington, will therefore be at the forefront of the next generation of technology (5G) roll- out.

"Given the need to introduce a new permanent base station into the local area, it is considered that the best town planning solution has been brought forward as part of this application."

Updated plans from Dalcour Maclaren of the proposed mast by the Clapperstile entrance to Bushy Park (Credit: Dalcour Maclaren)

Since Richmond Council received the updated plans from Dalcour Maclaren on February 16 2023, the application has already accumulated 52 resounding objections from Teddington residents.

James Sinclair from the Teddington Society Planning Group said: "The Planning Group of the Teddington Society strongly objects to this proposal. It appears to be similar to application 22/2085, with the exception of a modified pole design. The previous application was refused. We do not believe that this new proposal overcomes the first reason for refusal, which related to design and siting.

"The location is characterised by Buildings of Townscape Merit and the grade 2 listed North Lodge. The brick piers and curved railings either side of the Bullard Road entrance formed the original entrance to NPL in the 1920s. The proposal would ruin the balance of this historical feature.

"The size of the mast and the adjoining cabinets would be unsightly and visually intrusive in this prominent location. This entrance serves two of Teddington's most important features, being NPL and Bushy Park. In this context the proposal cannot be accepted."

Elizabeth Facer, a resident on Queens Road added: "The 15m height is about twice the height of any other structures adjacent to Queens Road or Bullard Road. The location of such a tall structure on the cusp of a bend on a busy road could distract a driver's attention when approaching the pedestrian crossing accessing Bushy Park. It therefore represents a significant safety risk.

"This is a very poor location that also detracts from the visual amenity of this part of Teddington. Other recent developments have been careful not to create such visual damage."

Neighbours and local residents are currently being consulted on Dalcour Maclaren's application with a decision by Richmond Council expected April 12 2023.

For further details on the proposed 5G mast plans by the Clapperstile entrance to Bushy Park, click HERE.