Councillor objects to 5G mast plans next to Northampton memorial garden

Plans have been submitted to the Guildhall to put up a 20-metre steel 5G tower next to a war memorial in Semilong.

The proposed fifth generation site could be on Arundel Street if it's given the green light by planners.

Documents show it will be operated by Vodafone and Telefonica.

Councillor, Les Marriott (Lab, Semilong) has raised concerns over how close it is to a place of remembrance.

He said: "The location they are proposing, which I object to, is adjacent to a memorial garden dedicated to local workers that lost their lives in the Second World War.

"I believe it is totally inappropriate to have this huge structure towering over this revered space.

"It would not be considered, let alone proposed to have a similar structure located near the All Saints Memorial Garden in the town centre, or for that matter in Whitehall near the Cenotaph.

"A memorial garden in Semilong should have equal worth."

He has also asked planners to have the mast moved further into the industrial estate.

He added: "The cost of re-sighting the pole is a small price to pay for respecting this area, and the lives that were lost."

Others have written to the council to oppose the application citing how the mast will look 'very ugly' in the area.