The Council said the 18m mast needed approval. Now it says it doesn’t.

Subject: URGENT: 26/00508/EC – 18m telecoms monopole at Hawthorn Close, Hitchin

Dear Planning Officer et al,

I am writing regarding the proposed telecommunications installation on land adjacent to 53 Hawthorn Close, Hitchin, and specifically the 2026 case 26/00508/EC. I have only just become aware of this proposal after seeing notices stating that “Essential Road Works” are due to commence next week in the vicinity of Hawthorn Close/Cranborne Avenue. Until this week, I had no knowledge that a revised telecommunications proposal had been submitted following the refusal of the previous scheme in 2025.

I am extremely concerned about both the proposal itself and, particularly, the process by which it appears to have been considered without any notification to local residents.

Previous 2025 proposal. The previous proposal, 25/01258/TD, involved a 20m telecommunications monopole at this location. It attracted very considerable local opposition, with more than 150 residents objecting, and Prior Approval was subsequently refused in June 2025. The strength of local feeling about a substantial telecommunications mast at this particular location was therefore very clearly known to the Council.

Revised 2026 proposal. I have now seen the drawings. The proposed monopole has been reduced from 20m to 18m, with changes to the antenna arrangement and associated equipment. Nevertheless, it remains a new and substantial freestanding monopole at the same location that was the subject of significant local objection and a refusal only last year. The elevation shows the surrounding tree level at approximately 12m, so the monopole would extend roughly 6m above the canopy.

Lack of consultation. The Council’s record for 26/00508/EC shows: received and validated 19 March 2026; neighbour consultation, standard consultation, advertisement and site notice all “Not Applicable”; decision made 30 March; issued 31 March; decision “No Objection”. As a result, the many residents who had objected to the previous proposal were given no notification and no opportunity to comment on the revised scheme.

I would be grateful for an urgent response to the following:

1. Under precisely what statutory provision was 26/00508/EC submitted and considered?
2. Why did the 2025 proposal require the Prior Approval procedure, whereas the 2026 proposal apparently did not?
3. What specific differences between the refused 20m scheme and the 18m scheme meant the latter could be dealt with as a notification rather than through Prior Approval?
4. On what legal basis was neighbour consultation, advertisement and a site notice considered “Not Applicable”?
5. Given the known public interest in this site, was any consideration given to notifying residents even if statutory consultation was not required? If not, why not?
6. Does the Council consider the 18m monopole now has all necessary authority to be installed, or is there any remaining process or consent required before installation can commence?
7. Are the “Essential Road Works” advertised for next week connected with the installation of this monopole or its equipment?
8. If so, who authorised those highway works, what do they involve, and on what dates?
9. What opportunity is available to residents to raise concerns or challenge the installation before any irreversible works take place?

Having participated in a process last year in which more than 150 residents made their views known, those residents could reasonably have believed the matter had concluded when the proposal was refused. It is extremely concerning to discover — apparently only because roadworks notices appeared — that a revised 18m mast may have received a “No Objection” decision without residents being aware it was under consideration.

I would ask that this matter is treated as urgent in light of the roadworks advertised for next week, and that the Council confirm that steps can be taken to prevent installation of the monopole commencing while these questions are being addressed.

Kind regards

Thank you very much for your detailed and helpful response, and in particular for contacting the telecommunications company today. Your explanation has provided residents with some much-needed clarity.

As I understand the position from your email:

• 26/00508/EC was not a planning or prior approval application and did not itself grant permission or prior approval for the proposed 18m mast. It was a notice served by the telecommunications company indicating its intention to rely upon permitted development rights.
• Consequently, the absence of public consultation was because it was a notification rather than a prior approval application.
• Most importantly, North Hertfordshire Council’s view is that prior approval is required for the proposed 18m mast and that prior approval has not been sought or obtained.
• The Council has now notified the telecommunications company of this position.
• If works to install the mast were undertaken without the necessary permission or prior approval, the Council considers those works would be unlawful and would initiate an enforcement investigation.
• Should the company wish to proceed by submitting a prior approval application, residents would then have an opportunity to participate in the public consultation process.

This is particularly reassuring given the history of the site and the previous 25/01258/TD proposal, where prior approval for the 20m mast was refused because of the inappropriate scale, siting and appearance of the mast, together with the adverse visual impact of the associated cabinets.

What residents intend to do next. For the moment, residents do not intend to take any unnecessary further action while the company considers its position. If a prior approval application is submitted, we intend to engage constructively with the consultation process. In the meantime we will: keep a record of the existing installation and surrounding area; retain copies of correspondence and planning records; monitor the planning register for any new prior approval application; and monitor the forthcoming works in the Hawthorn Close/Cranborne Avenue area, particularly given the “Essential Road Works” notices.

One practical point: if contractors attend the site and appear to be commencing installation before prior approval has been obtained, could you confirm who residents should contact immediately at the Council, ideally with a mobile number? We would not interfere with contractors or works ourselves; we would record what is taking place from an appropriate location and report it promptly so officers can determine what action is required.

I would also be grateful if you could notify me, or ensure residents are notified, should a prior approval application be submitted, so that we do not miss the opportunity to participate in the consultation.

Kind regards

Further to my previous email, I would be very grateful if arrangements could be made for a Council officer to attend the site should contractors arrive to commence installation of the proposed 18m mast before prior approval has been obtained.

Given the Council’s confirmation that such works would be unlawful, I feel it is important that residents are not placed in the position of having to challenge or question contractors ourselves. Having a Council representative attend would ensure that the situation can be dealt with promptly and appropriately.

I have copied our local councillors into this email and would also be very grateful if one of them could attend on the dates they have given to potentially start work, to avoid unnecessary confrontation for the residents.

Our only intention is to ensure that the Council’s position is respected and that installation does not take place before the required planning process has been completed.

Kind regards

Subject: URGENT – Enforcement contact requested – 26/00508/EC, Hawthorn Close

Dear Planning Enforcement Team,

You have already been copied into my recent correspondence concerning the proposed 18m telecommunications monopole at Hawthorn Close (26/00508/EC). The Planning Officer has now specifically advised me to contact the Enforcement Team should works commence.

As confirmed in the earlier correspondence, North Herts Council’s position is that Prior Approval is required for the proposed 18m mast and has not been obtained, and that if works proceed without the necessary permission or Prior Approval, the works would be unlawful and an enforcement investigation would be initiated.

Given that “Essential Road Works” signs have recently appeared in the area and state that works will start tomorrow, 24 August, could you please:

• acknowledge that the Enforcement Team is now aware of this matter; and
• confirm the quickest procedure for residents to follow if contractors arrive and begin work on the proposed mast.

I understand that residents can telephone 01462 474000 and ask for the Enforcement Team / Duty Planning Officer. If there is a more direct contact number or named officer who could deal urgently with this particular matter, I would be very grateful if you could provide it.

Residents will, of course, not confront or obstruct contractors. We simply want to ensure that the Council can be alerted immediately should installation commence before the required Prior Approval has been obtained.

I would be grateful for acknowledgement of this email so that residents know the appropriate procedure to follow should these unlawful works begin.

Kind regards

Dear all,

Just to add to my email below, I have copied our local councillors into this correspondence so that they are also aware of the urgency of the situation.

Should contractors attend tomorrow and appear to commence installation of the 18m mast before Prior Approval has been obtained, I would be extremely grateful for the councillors’ assistance in ensuring that the matter is brought immediately to the attention of the appropriate Council officers and, if possible, for a councillor to attend the site.

Many thanks for your assistance.

Kind regards

Subject: URGENT – Works due to commence tomorrow morning – Hawthorn Close, Hitchin, SG5 2BP, 18m telecoms mast

Dear EE Network Deployment / Community Liaison Team,

Re: Proposed 18m telecommunications mast, Hawthorn Close, Hitchin — planning ref 26/00508/EC

I am contacting you as a matter of extreme urgency on behalf of concerned local residents regarding the proposed 18m telecommunications mast at Hawthorn Close.

• North Herts Council has confirmed to us in writing that Prior Approval is required for this development and has not been obtained.
• The Council has further confirmed that if works proceed without the necessary permission or Prior Approval, the works would be unlawful and an enforcement investigation would be initiated.
• Works are due to commence tomorrow morning, Monday 24 August.
• Preparatory activity has already taken place, including “Essential Road Works” signs and cones positioned along both sides of the road.
• The Council’s Planning Enforcement Team and local councillors have already been alerted. In view of the imminent works and the unresolved planning position, we have also contacted the local press.

We urgently ask EE to confirm whether EE is the network operator responsible for this proposed installation; if so, to escalate this immediately to the appropriate Network Deployment team and contractors; and — most importantly — to instruct its contractors not to commence installation of the mast or associated works tomorrow morning until the planning position has been resolved with North Herts Council.

We hold the Council’s written correspondence confirming its position, together with a comprehensive photographic record of the preparations at the site, and can provide these immediately if required.

Given that contractors are expected tomorrow morning, we would be extremely grateful if this could be treated as an urgent out-of-hours escalation so that the appropriate contractor can be contacted before works commence. Please acknowledge receipt of this email and confirm urgently what action EE is taking.

Kind regards
On behalf of concerned local residents

Subject: 26/00508/EC – Media informed following commencement of works

Dear Planning Enforcement Team and Councillors,

Further to my previous correspondence regarding the proposed 18m telecommunications mast at Hawthorn Close (26/00508/EC), I wanted to make you aware that, following the commencement of works today, we (a large residents group) will now inform the local press/media of the situation.

We have taken this step reluctantly, but given North Herts Council’s written confirmation that Prior Approval is required and has not been obtained, and that works proceeding without the necessary permission or Prior Approval would be unlawful and subject to an enforcement investigation, residents feel that the circumstances are now a matter of legitimate public interest.

The media will be provided with a factual account of events, including the planning reference and the Council’s stated position, if we do not hear from you today. We have also made clear that the Council’s Planning Enforcement Team has been contacted, so that the Council has had the opportunity to address the situation through the appropriate channels.

Our overriding concern remains that no works should proceed unless and until the necessary planning requirements have been properly satisfied.

We would therefore be grateful for an urgent update confirming what action the Council is now taking and, in particular, whether steps are being taken to prevent any further works while the planning position remains unresolved.

We remain hopeful that this matter can be addressed promptly and appropriately.

Kind regards
On behalf of the local residents group

Subject: URGENT: 18m Hitchin telecom mast works begin despite Council confirming Prior Approval has not been obtained

Dear News Desk,

I am contacting you on behalf of concerned local residents regarding the proposed 18-metre telecommunications mast at Hawthorn Close, Hitchin, North Hertfordshire, planning reference 26/00508/EC.

Contractors have today arrived and works appear to have commenced, despite North Herts Council having confirmed to residents in writing that Prior Approval is required for the proposed mast and has not been obtained.

A North Herts Planning Officer has also confirmed in writing that if works proceed without the necessary permission or Prior Approval, the works would be unlawful and an enforcement investigation would be initiated. Residents were specifically advised to contact Planning Enforcement if works commenced. We have now alerted the Council’s Planning Enforcement Team that contractors are on site.

This follows considerable local concern about the mast. More than 150 residents opposed the previous proposal, yet residents were not directly alerted to the present situation and only became aware that works appeared imminent after “Essential Road Works” signs appeared locally stating that works would begin on 24 August.

We can provide: photographs and video of contractors and works on site; photographs of the roadworks notices; the relevant correspondence from North Herts Council confirming its position; details of the planning history and reference 26/00508/EC; and local residents who are willing to speak about their concerns.

We believe there is an important public-interest question as to how works on an 18-metre telecommunications mast could be allowed to commence after the local planning authority has confirmed that the necessary Prior Approval has not been obtained.

We would be very happy to provide the documentation and photographs immediately and to speak to a reporter.

Kind regards
A local resident, on behalf of the residents group

Dear [officer],

Thank you for confirming that this matter is now being investigated by the Planning Enforcement Team.

I need to update you urgently that works have now commenced at the Hawthorn Close site today.

Given your previous confirmation that Prior Approval is required and has not been obtained, and that works proceeding without the necessary permission or Prior Approval would be unlawful and subject to an enforcement investigation, residents are extremely concerned that work is now actively taking place.

Could I therefore please ask, as a matter of urgency:

• Can the Planning Enforcement Team contact those carrying out the works today and require works to cease while this is investigated?
• Can you confirm whether an Enforcement Officer is able to attend the site today?
• Can you confirm what residents should do if work continues in the meantime?
• Please could the Enforcement Officer dealing with the matter contact me as soon as possible today.

We are continuing to photograph and document activity at the site and can provide this evidence immediately if required.

Given that physical works are now underway, I would be very grateful if this could be treated as urgent today, before the development progresses any further. I am copying the Planning Enforcement Team and our local councillors into this email so that everyone is aware of the latest position.

Kind regards
On behalf of concerned local residents

Subject: URGENT: Works commenced at Hawthorn Close – 18m mast – Council ref 26/00508/EC

Dear EE,

I am following up on my email of 23 August concerning the proposed 18m telecommunications mast at Hawthorn Close (North Herts Council ref 26/00508/EC). I appreciate that my original email was sent over the weekend; however, the situation has now become even more urgent as works commenced at the site today, 24 August. Photographs attached.

North Herts Council has confirmed in writing that Prior Approval is required for the proposed 18m mast and has not been obtained. The Council has also advised that if works proceed without the necessary permission or Prior Approval, the works would be unlawful and an enforcement investigation would be initiated.

Given that works are now underway, could EE please urgently confirm:

• Whether these works are being undertaken on behalf of EE or for the EE network.
• Whether EE has contacted the infrastructure provider/operator and contractors responsible for the works.
• Whether those parties have been made aware of North Herts Council’s position.
• What action EE is taking to ensure that no installation proceeds without the necessary planning approval.

This is now a matter of considerable concern to local residents and is extremely time-sensitive. The Council’s Planning Enforcement Team and our local councillors have also been notified that works have commenced. We have created a website documenting the history of the proposed mast and developments at the site, including photographs: hawthornclose.com.

I would therefore be grateful for an urgent response before any further installation works proceed.

Kind regards
On behalf of concerned local residents

Thank you for confirming yesterday that this matter was being passed to the Planning Enforcement Team.

As works have now recommenced at the Hawthorn Close site this morning, I would be grateful for an immediate urgent update. Could you please confirm:

• Which officer within the Planning Enforcement Team is now dealing with the matter?
• Whether an Enforcement case has been opened and, if so, the reference number.
• Whether the developer/operator has been contacted regarding the works.
• Whether a site visit is being arranged.
• Most importantly, what action is being taken to prevent further works while the planning position is investigated, given the Council’s previous confirmation that Prior Approval is required and has not been obtained.

Residents are understandably extremely concerned to see works progressing while we await clarification. We cannot understand how this can proceed without the prior approval you need. I would be grateful for an urgent response today.

Kind regards

Subject: 26/00508/EC – Hawthorn Close – request for clarification following review

Thank you for your detailed response and for explaining the Council’s revised position. However, given that residents had previously been advised in writing by the Council that Prior Approval was required and had not been obtained, and that works proceeding without it would be unlawful, I hope you will understand why today’s conclusion has come as a considerable surprise. Before we update residents, I would be grateful if you could clarify the following.

1. Width of the existing and proposed mast. You state that the proposed replacement pole does not exceed the relevant two-thirds width threshold. I have reviewed the submitted elevation drawing. While it clearly identifies the existing structure as 9.0m high and the proposed Alpha 8 pole as 18.0m high, I have been unable to identify on the drawing the respective width/diameter measurements upon which the Council’s two-thirds assessment has been based. Could you therefore please confirm:

• the width/diameter of the existing 9m structure used by the Council;
• the width/diameter of the proposed 18m Alpha 8 pole used for comparison;
• the precise drawing or document from which those measurements were obtained; and
• the calculation by which the Council concluded that the relevant two-thirds threshold is not exceeded.

If the measurements are contained in documents other than those currently available to residents, I would be grateful for copies of, or links to, those documents.

2. Status of the land. Your email refers to the 25m threshold applicable to unprotected land and also mentions a 20m threshold within the highway. Could you please confirm whether the Council has determined that the precise location of this mast constitutes unprotected land rather than land on a highway for the purposes of Part 16 of Schedule 2 to the GPDO, and the basis for that determination?

3. The Council’s previous advice. Finally, could you please explain what information or interpretation resulted in the Council previously advising residents that Prior Approval was required and had not been obtained, and what subsequently changed following the Council’s review and clarification with the operator?

Residents have relied in good faith upon the information provided to us by the Council, including when contacting Planning Enforcement, EE, councillors and other parties. It is therefore particularly important that we now have a clear written explanation of the revised position, together with the measurements and documents upon which that conclusion has been reached, so that we can ensure residents and others are provided with accurate information.

Kind regards

Dear [Enforcement Officer],

Thank you for the acknowledgement received today confirming that you have been allocated the Planning Enforcement investigation concerning the telecommunications development at Hawthorn Close, reference 26/00147/1ENF. As you will appreciate, this is particularly urgent because works have already commenced at the site.

I have today also received correspondence from the Development and Conservation Manager advising that, following a review and clarification with the operator, the Council now considers the proposed 18m replacement mast to be permitted development and that Prior Approval is not required. This differs from the Council’s earlier written advice to residents that Prior Approval was required and had not been obtained.

Given that an Enforcement investigation has nevertheless now been opened, could you please urgently confirm:

• Whether the opening of 26/00147/1ENF has any effect on the continuation of the works while your investigation is underway.
• Whether a site visit will take place before the proposed 18m mast is erected.
• Whether your investigation will independently verify that the development actually being undertaken corresponds with the plans and dimensions relied upon in reaching the conclusion that it constitutes permitted development, including the relevant height and width requirements under Part 16 of the GPDO.

My particular concern is that the 18m mast could be erected before the Enforcement investigation and site inspection have taken place. Given that works are currently underway, I would be extremely grateful if this could be treated as urgent.

Kind regards