UPDATE TO INCLUDE INFORMATION OF TREE PRESERVATION ORDER IN SITU DIRECTLY BEHIND THE MAST.

Subject: Review Decision & Halt Mast Activation (Ref: 24/00689/TGDO) Adjacent to Sketchley Hill Primary School – Flawed Consultation Process

To: Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council Planning Department, Cornerstone, Luke Evans MP

We, the undersigned parents of children attending Sketchley Hill Primary School, residents of the local Burbage area, and other concerned individuals, demand an immediate review of the decision to approve, and a halt to the activation of, the new 20-metre 5G telecommunications mast (Application Ref: 24/00689/TGDO) located on the roundabout adjacent to Sketchley Hill Primary School.

This mast received Prior Approval from Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council on September 11th, 2024, based on a process we believe was fundamentally flawed. The official public consultation period ran from July 18th to August 8th, 2024. This entire 21-day window fell completely within the 2024 summer school holidays (July 10th – August 26th, 2024).

Conducting the consultation entirely when the school community – parents, staff, and governors – were largely absent denied us a fair and reasonable opportunity to engage. National planning guidance (NPPF Paragraph 122) and the government's Code of Practice specifically require proper consultation with schools regarding nearby masts , yet this process failed to achieve that.   

Furthermore, we understand that concerns raised at governor level by Sketchley Hill Primary School opposing the mast were not acknowledged or responded to by the council, compounding the lack of engagement. This failure prevented the community from raising crucial points about the mast's siting and appearance, particularly concerning its impact on the school environment, including the planned Forest School area and nearby trees protected under Tree Preservation Order 17/00025/TPORD – trees which have recently been prevented to lopping by the head teacher of Sketchley Hill Primary school whilst awaiting decisions of this petition.

We therefore demand that Hinckley & Bosworth Borough Council:

• Acknowledges the procedural inadequacy of the consultation and lack of response for application 24/00689/TGDO.
• Reviews the propriety of the Prior Approval decision.
• Suspends the mast's activation [or if active: suspends its operation] pending a proper review.
• Commits to a new, meaningful consultation during school term time, ensuring the school community's voice, including concerns previously raised and those relating to the protected trees, is genuinely heard and considered before any final decision is made.

We expect transparency and fair process regarding infrastructure placed in such close proximity to our children's primary school.

(When signing this petition you don't need to 'chip in' , i didn't know that was there when setting it up, it is for wider advertising but it would be better if you'd just share it because I don't think it's necessary to pay for that)