EE (a subsidiary of the multibillion earning BT Group) has wanted to site a Telecommunications Mast at the end of Lower Road for a number of years. Its previous applications have been unsuccessful as Swale Borough Council and Planning Inspectorate have agreed with local residents that having a mast at this location on the edge of the Faversham Conservation Area would be incongruous, out of character, visually intrusive and detrimental to the character and appearance of the area.

But now EE has found a way round planning rules by slightly reducing the height and width of their mast in a way that means that it counts as permitted development and does not require prior approval from Swale Borough Council in relation to its siting and appearance. The mast will however still be 15 metres tall and more than twice the height of neighbouring houses. 

We think that before it does anything else EE needs to:

·     consult with residents on whether they want this mast 

·     seek the views of conservation experts on the appropriateness of the location 

·     Identify other possible sites around Faversham where a mast of this size would have less impact.