CAMPAIGNERS are celebrating a "victory for people power" after halting the construction of a giant 5G mast that would have towered over their homes.
Hythe residents were shocked when they discovered a 24m pylon was being built beside Southampton Road - one of the main routes through the village.
Furious at not being consulted, they staged a protest that resulted in the contractors stopping work and starting to clear the site.
The protesters stood between a crane and another part of the site for more than two hours on Tuesday morning.
One of the residents, Emily Kemish, said: "Just before 10.30am we were told Vodafone were abandoning the site. We refused to move until we had this in writing, which came through at 10.36am.
"One of the workers said it was the first time he’d seen a site be abandoned. We're really pleased we managed to make a difference."
Fellow objector John Lawless said: "We're not against faster broadband but if it hadn't been for our protest we'd have a giant monstrosity on our doorstep."
READ MORE: Plans for 'large and obscuring' 5G mast in Southampton refused
Hythe councillor Malcolm Wade added: “People were upset because they didn’t know it was being installed opposite their homes and felt it would be an eyesore.
"The person in charge of the site told me it was to be temporary until a more permanent site was found, but because of the reaction they were taking the mast away."
Posting on social media before the work was stopped, residents said: "We need such masts for economic growth and to keep our community connected, but the correct channels need to be gone through."
Vodafone said most of its masts were deployed and managed by its partner, Cornerstone.
A Cornerstone spokesperson said: "Following a redevelopment notice on one of our existing sites, the temporary base station in Southampton Road would have continued to provide existing mobile coverage and connectivity to the local community.
"Unfortunately we have had to stop the proposed build due to members of the public entering our site and making the area unsafe.
"Mobile operators and ultimately their customers benefit from the ability to install emergency, temporary structures for a period of 18 months.
"In this instance we have sought to utilise these powers to retain network coverage in the Hythe area. In order to use these emergency powers a notification was sent to the council on November 14."
READ MORE: Angry mum dumps car on pavement in protest at 5G mast
Last night residents confirmed that one person entered the site, resulting in the work being halted, and said they "applauded her bravery".
A New Forest District Council spokesperson said: "We are in contact with the telecommunications company and will provide an update for interested parties as soon as possible."
A message from the Editor
Thank you for reading this article - we appreciate your support in reading the Daily Echo.
Subscribing to the Echo means you have unrestricted access to the latest news, features and Saints coverage - all with an advertising-light website.
You will also have full access to Saintsplus, your new home for Southampton FC tactical analysis, features and much, much more.
Don't just take my word for it - subscribe today.
Follow the latest breaking news in the Southampton area by searching Southampton News - Breaking News and Incidents on Facebook
Follow the latest court and crime news on our dedicated group by searching Hampshire Court and Crime News on Facebook.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel