ANGRY residents held a socially distanced protest against the installation of a 5G telecommunications mast near to their homes.

The protest, held on Defford Road in Pershore where the mast is set to be installed, was attended by around 50 residents from the surrounding areas.

The residents say they are concerned that siting of the mast so close to their houses raises 'serious safety and medical issues'.

For many people it was also the size, appearance and 'intrusion of an ugly structure out of context with the surroundings' of the area that caused most anger.

The planning application submitted to Wychavon Dristict Council by CK Hutchison Networks (UK) Ltd proposes 'an 18m ‘slim line’ phase 8 monopole c/w wraparound cabinet at base, 3no. additional ancillary equipment cabinets and associated ancillary works be built on a grass verge on Defford Road Pershore.'

The application (21/01361/TC) is currently in the consultation phase and will be until July 14 2021.

It has received numerous objections from residents.

One objector from Defford Road said: "It should not be necessary to erect the mast within a residential area in a town as small as Pershore.

"It should be outside the urban area.

"The council have a duty to see that an electronic mast is at a safe distance from existing properties.

"Any proposed mast should be sympathetically designed for its location and appropriately camouflaged.

"I believe camouflage would be best done if the mast were placed among or on the edge an area of trees, preferably on higher ground where it would not have to be such a tall structure."

Another wrote: "My wife has a pacemaker for her heart failure. We are concerned that the nearness of the mast could affect this in a critical way. Her life depends on her pacemaker."

A third objector added: "I object to this application because of how close the mast is to people's houses causing much worry and distress.

"Where you are planning to put this will be a eyesore on a busy road. I am not one for stopping progression in technology but surely there are better places for this mast to go where it will not effect the local area and peoples lives"

What do you think about the proposal?