A SOUTHAMPTON man has described controversial plans to build a 5G mast "double the size of his house" as a “monstrosity".
Sonny Jarvis has hit out at plans to build a 16-metre pylon outside his front door in Wodehouse Road.
The 36-year-old is furious at the proposals, lodged by telecommunications firm Three, saying they will devalue the house he has spent years decorating.
He said: “This does not sit well with me as it is directly outside my house.
“If it goes up, I will not escape the view of it. The mast will be double the size of my house.
“Three want to put it in such a built-up area, and I am the worst affected.
“This post is going to be a monstrosity.”
According to documents submitted to the city council, the site has been chosen as the “most viable option to provide reliable coverage".
If approved, the mast will also provide “improved” quality and "more reliable connectivity" for residents.
But Sonny, who has lived in Wodehouse Road for ten years, says that if the plans are approved, he will move.
The construction worker added: “This is a downer on my life. I am going to object as I would not be able to live here with the mast outside my door.
“I would have to sell my property which would devalue my house, and this is not the route I want to take.
“My ideal resolution would be for Three to relocate the mast to not such a built-up area, but I don’t want it to be put on someone else’s doorstep either.”
So far, the proposed mast has faced 19 objections from residents.
Sonny told the Echo he has been discussing the plans with the Peartree ward councillor, Eamonn Keogh.
The Labour councillor has said he will support residents in making comments about the application before a decision is made on July 15.
He said: “It is my opinion that Hutchison 3G UK Ltd should and could do more to consult with local residents when they are installing these 5G masts and this could help identify the most suitable site.
“My view is that local residents would prefer this location not to be chosen and for another more suitable one to be considered.
“I appreciate it is not always possible to find preferred sites but these should and could be driven by more local consultation.”
In response to the concerns raised, Three has said that 5G rollout is "vital" for residents and businesses in Southampton.
A spokesperson for the company said: “We want to offer the community a reliable network experience and this new site will be critical to making that happen.
“While we try to keep mast sites as unobtrusive as possible, they need to be situated where people will be using the service and, in many cases, in precise locations to ensure the widest breadth of coverage.”
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