New Quay: Plans for 5G mast withdrawn after objections

Plans to build a "gargantuan eyesore" 5G phone mast on one of the largest holiday camps in Ceredigion have been withdrawn.

Freshwave Facilities Limited wanted to erect a 21 metre (70ft) high mast at Quay West Holiday Park, New Quay.

There were 73 objections to the planned mast to boost mobile phone signal.

Nearby residents feared it would devalue their properties while the town council said the local community would not benefit.

Haven Holidays, which owns the land, previously said the mast would enhance mobile coverage in what could be a congested area during the summer.

The planning application said it would also allow continued provision of 3G and 4G mobile connections to the surrounding area and provide improved 5G services for Vodafone.

But New Quay town council objected to the location and size of the mast due to its proximity to nearby households and its location in a Special Landscape Area.

It also argued the mast would only benefit park users.

Henry Dent and Lauren Bromley had feared the mast, which would have overlooked their home, could have affected its value.

Ms Bromley said: "We have been provided with sound and professional advice from a reputable local estate agent within recent days, where they have informed us that given this gargantuan eyesore will sit directly on and adjacent to our boundary line, it will result in a significant devaluation of our property, leaving us in negative equity through no fault of our own."

There were four representations in support of the plans, which argued it would improve phone reception.

A planning officer report recommended the application be refused, and it was subsequently withdrawn.

"The impact of the development on the amenity of nearby occupiers is profound by the number of objections received to the application," the report said.