Residents from across the island have submitted objections to an application by Sure to install a mast capable of transmitting 5G.

The application (19/00300/B) is for a mast disguised as a tree that will replace the current at Tower Farm Mountain Road, near Ramsey.

The tower would be 18 metres tall and include the tree foliage used to disguise the mast and help it fit into its surroundings.

Sure said in its application that while it is working on other sites in Ramsey, without this mast, its ability to transmit 5G to Ramsey would be ’severely’ impacted.

However, some residents are not happy with the plans and have submitted objections to the planners

To date there have been 24 such submissions, largely objecting on grounds of public health concerns and concern over the potential harm to wildlife.

health

Of these, comments regarding health concerns have focused on what they see as a lack of research into 5G and its potential impact on public health, particularly on if it has links to diseases such as cancer.

One respondent said that the technology had been ’scientifically proven to harm wildlife and human health in numerous studies’.

Another highlighted that some areas have made moves to ban the 5G roll out due to concerns over public health.

This has included in Belgium where Céline Fremault, Minister for Housing, Quality of Life, Environment and Energy said: ’I cannot welcome such technology if the radiation standards, which must protect the citizen, are not respected, 5G or not.

guidlines

Despite this, Public Health England says that ’current technical guidelines’ will apply to the new technology.

The 5G networks will operate at a higher frequency and PHE recognised that less research has been done on the matter.

A PHE report said: ’It is possible that there may be a small increase in overall exposure to radio waves when 5G is added to an existing network or in a new area. However, the overall exposure is expected to remain low relative to guidelines and as such there should be no consequences for public health.’

In response to residents’ concerns, a Sure spokesman said: ’The site has been selected as upgrading our equipment here is less disruptive and more effective than developing a new site [and] will have the capability to support future mobile technologies including 5G.

’Sure is also committed to safety and our current and future mobile network will continue to meet the safety standards set by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation as well as complying with local regulations.’