RESIDENTS have blasted the installation of a “NASA rocket” 6G phone mast placed without permission outside their homes.
The 50ft tower was put on a street corner in Great Harwood, Lancashire, by IX Wireless Network last month to provide 6G internet but it has left many residents upset.
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It is positioned on the corner of residential streets Bostons and Causeway in the town.
Lisa Denicola, who has lived on Bostons in Great Harwood for 15 years, says around 30 people in the neighbourhood are objecting to its installation.
Their concerns vary from its implications on the value of their properties, impact on wildlife and health, and its unattractive appearance.
IX Wireless said the company is keen to work with residents and welcome any input which can help to improve their service.
It added that where possible, it has made efforts to move structures and poles after speaking to the community.
Lisa said: “It looks like a spider’s web and like it belongs to NASA.
“Residents are worried of its health implications and impact on wildlife, and it is visual pollution. It is horrific.
“We used to be able to see views of Pendle Hill and the countryside but now all residents on the estate can see this mast.
“We live in a very green and scenic area so this industrial kit does not fit here.
“It looks like it has just been dropped.
“There are more suitable sites to be considered like the fields behind us.”
Emma Eastham, who moved to Bostons in 2008, described the infrastructure as “intrusive” and said there are better places for such installations.
She said: “We are on top of a hill so when you come up you can see it looks ginormous. There are underground cables so why not do this?
“For years we have had nothing apart from lampposts and all of a sudden one provider puts wooden poles up and then about two months later we get IX Wireless putting up poles and a massive mast.
“Why has this very small area been saturated with two providers?
“We have no internet connectivity issues here and we only have 40 houses so why do we need two providers?
“As part of this government rollout they want to help deprived areas where people are socially isolated but we are neither.”
She said one of the poles that links with the mast is right outside her home.
Emma however added that the company had informed her it would instead be opposite her property via a notice that was stuck on another pole in the area.
Emma continued: “IX put all over their website that they are willing to talk to residents and do community engagement but we were not consulted about this.
“From the bedroom window I can see a lot of wires and in the living room I can see the mast. It is so intrusive and right in your eye line.
“It is like a scaffolding pole.”
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Residents have made a group chat to keep each other informed and have contacted the company to reconsider their decision.
Ward councillor Noordad Aziz visited the estate following a number of complaints from residents and saw the mast in person.
After his visit he says he contacted the company but has yet to hear a response.
He said: “The scale of the mast means it is towering above the houses, many of which are bungalows.
“It is not appropriate for the area and I hope the company reconsiders its decision and finds some solution in keeping with the residential surrounding.
“Residents are shocked by the size of it and it has an imposing nature.
“It looks like a missile next to small houses and it is blocking residents’ views.”
Sarah Smith MP said: “I’m grateful to the residents of Great Harwood for bringing the subject of IX Wireless masts to my attention.
“Unfortunately, under the last government, IX Wireless were given authority to install masts without having to seek planning permission nor a thorough consultative process.
“My fundamental concern is that they have been granted this exception.
“I have written to the relevant Government Minister requesting a review of this process and the company’s Director of Operations to request that they consider moving the mast to a more appropriate place.
“I will be meeting with concerned residents this week to understand their concerns further and to see if there’s any more I can do to support them.”
An IX Wireless spokesperson said: “The company is keen to work with local residents and welcome any input which can help to improve our service.
“Where possible we have made efforts to move structures and poles after speaking to members of the community.
“This pole was due to be moved to a new location but this was not possible as the company must give a specified time – 28 days – for any objections to be forwarded.
“There have been no objections as far as we are aware so the pole is due to be moved at the end of the month.”