The MSP for Clackmannanshire and Dunblane, Keith Brown, has called on CK Hutchison Networks (Three) to respect the democratic decision made by Stirling Council against the building of a 5G tower outside Dunblane primary school.

Work by Dunblane Community Council has shown that Stirling Council rejected the planning application for the tower in February but failed to notify the telecoms operator of this decision before a crucial deadline. This deadline means that the telecoms operators can begin building anyway, and the building of the 5G tower outside the school has begun. 

It is understood that the local authority had rejected the proposal on the grounds of ‘Amenity value,’ stating that the building of the telephone pole next to a primary school would have an adverse impact on the areas attractiveness as an area to work and live in.

The company responsible for the mast is within their legal rights to continue building because of this administrative error, however Keith Brown MSP and other local groups have called for CK Hutchison networks (three) to consider their obligation to listen to the voices of local residents and local government, and to respect the democratic decision made against the building of the mast. 

Commenting, SNP MSP for Clackmannanshire and Dunblane, Keith Brown, said: 

“Planning applications exist for a reason, and it is important that the will of local residents, as represented by local authorities, is abided by.

“This has clearly been an error on Stirling Councils part, so I have written to them regarding this case asking them to keep my office in the loop. 

“I have also written to the Minister for Community Wealth and Public Finance, Tom Arthur, asking him to investigate and advise if there are any alternative actions that could be taken to enforce the democratic process which has decided against building the mast.

“While I understand that an administrative error has meant that the network provider is within their rights to proceed with the building of the tower, I’d urge Hutchinson Networks to listen to the concerns of residents and the local authority, and to move the building of this mast to another location.”