High Wycombe 5G mast plans approved despite backlash

This is just one of the many applications submitted to Buckinghamshire Council in the past seven days.

To view more details for each application, go to the council’s planning portal with the reference number attached.

A former office block could be turned into flats at White Hart Street, High Wycombe (23/05143/PNPCR).

Swan House (Image: Google Maps)

The first and second floors of the three-storey Swan House could be transformed into one studio, nine one-beds, and one two-bedroom apartments.

Eden Commercial Ltd has submitted the plans under prior approval, which would effectively bypass the planning process to speed up development if the council does not object.

The offices have last been in use by Zelton Palace/Citibase however they vacated the premises in June 2021 and the office has been vacant since.

The proposal seeks 11 bicycle cycle spaces for the future flats. It is unknown how many parking spaces there will be, but the planning statement states there will be fewer bays at the current site.

5G mast plans have been met with heavy resistance from residents at Hamilton Road opposite Maitland Drive, High Wycombe (22/08131/PNP16A).

What the 5G mast will look like (Image: .)

Seventy-two of objections were unleashed on CK Hutchinson’s plans, which were submitted under prior approval, to erect a 20m street pole and additional equipment cabinets, which would supposedly improve network coverage in the area.

But residents and local councillors slammed the proposal, believing the look of the “eyesore” mast will conflict with the character of the area.

One resident wrote: “This huge mast will be taller than the surrounding trees and houses making it a terrible eyesore on the street scene. It will not only be visible from Hamilton Road, Hampden Road, Maitland Drive but due to its height the surrounding areas too. Such a huge mast with its numerous cabinets will detract from the streetscape of our road with its verges, flowering trees, and spring daffodils.”

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However, locals believed it was a “bad idea” to install the mast close to a large primary school and pedestrian crossing on a hill with fast-moving traffic coming down.

Cllrs Green, Hussain, and Rajah ‘called in’ the application for it to be determined by the relevant planning committee but were told because it is a prior approval application, this cannot be done.

But this wasn’t necessary as planning officers agreed with the objectors and refused the plans.

Home to be turned into a children’s residential care home at Revola, Clay Lane, Booker, Marlow (22/07904/FUL).

Planning officers approved a scheme to convert the six-bedroom property into a five-bed children’s home with a staff annex attached to the main home.

It is planned to house a maximum of five children, aged between eight and 18, with two staff sleeping in at night. During the day there will be three staff with five children who will be supervised 24 hours a day.

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But a few residents objected to the scheme, saying it is an “odd place” to place a children’s care home as it is in a “totally unsuitable location” given the lack of public transportation.

They also say Clay Lane is a “very busy road” that has a narrow footpath and is unlit with a 40mph speed.

But planning officers disagreed with the objectors and approved the plans.