CONTENTIOUS plans to build a 5G mast on a footpath close to a school and a nursery have been rejected for a second time.

A second application to erect a mast on School Close in Ponthir has been refused permission by Torfaen council.

Developers CK Hutchison Networks, which operates the mobile service provider Three, claimed the previous reasons for refusing the first application had been “robustly addressed” by reducing the height of the mast from 20 to 15-metres.

But a Torfaen council planning report refusing the application says the developer has “not provided a satisfactory explanation” as to why other more suitable locations cannot be used.

Planners say the site proposed on School Close does not benefit from screening and that the 49-foot high mast would be “very prominent” in the area.

The mast and associated cabinets would narrow the width of the footpath which is on “a busy junction which serves both a school and public recreational area”, a council report says.

The headteacher and chair of school governors at Ponthir Church School have voiced concern over the plan, along with other residents.

Ponthir Community Council also objected and has put forward five alternative locations for the developer to pursue.

It has offered to work with the developer to find an alternative site, in recognition of the need to improve 5G coverage in the area.

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A planning report says the developer has provided “some basic commentary” about why suggested sites are not suitable, but adds they have “not provided a satisfactory explanation” as to why at least one other site cannot be used.

“An alternative siting further along School Close appears to have been dismissed by the developer purely on the grounds that it does not form part of the public highway,” the council report says.

“However, the land is owned by Torfaen CBC and asset management officers have indicated that they are prepared to enter into further discussions with the developer to site the mast in this location.

“There appears to be no planning reason for not pursuing this option further.

“Furthermore, the alternative sites suggested by the community council require further assessment and explanation before the developer’s assertion (that the submitted details are the only viable 5G option for the Ponthir area) is accepted.”

The application was refused due to the proposal resulting in “an unacceptable narrowing of the public footway on a busy junction that serves as a safe route to school” and as the mast would have “an unacceptably dominant appearance” in the area.