‘Our Lives Are Ruined’: Kidderminster Residents Blast 100ft 5G Mast
Residents on Hurcott Road in Kidderminster say their lives have been turned upside down by the sudden appearance of a 100-foot temporary 5G mast erected just feet from their garden boundaries. The structure, installed in May 2024, is causing significant distress, with locals reporting a constant, intrusive humming noise and serious safety concerns.
‘It’s Driven Me Out of My Home’
Steve Taylor, a 58-year-old marketing executive, has been forced to abandon his own home and stay at his partner's house in Droitwich. He described the mast as a ‘huge issue’, located a mere 2 feet from his boundary fence. ‘I tried to stay there but it rocks in the night, you can see it moving,’ he said. ‘The height of it, it would reach the house if it gave way in strong winds. It would kill me if I was asleep.’
The mast and its accompanying generator, which sits just 6 feet from property lines, emits a relentless ‘white noise’ hum that can be heard inside homes 24 hours a day. Steve added that the situation has ‘ruined our outdoor environment’, citing fumes from the generator and making his garden space completely unusable.
Community Outcry and Official Response
Other long-term residents echo the frustration. Jackie Hardwick, 68, who has lived on the street for 28 years, said the humming was ‘driving you insane’. The mast was installed by Mobile Broadband Network Ltd (MBNL) to replace a smaller device on the soon-to-be-demolished Coniston House. The land is owned by Community Housing, which issued a lease for the temporary structure until September 1, 2026.
Reform councillor Mark Crosby from Worcestershire County Council is supporting the residents. He confirmed the mast’s severe impact, noting that a potential house buyer took one look at the tower and immediately walked out of a viewing.
While Community Housing stated it understands residents' concerns and is working to have the mast removed ‘as soon as possible’, Wyre Forest District Council clarified that the mast did not require standard planning permission. It was installed under permitted development rights, which allow for temporary telecoms equipment in emergencies for up to 18 months.
An MBNL representative apologised for the inconvenience but stressed the mast is ‘maintaining essential mobile coverage’ for the area and urged the local authority to support its application for a new permanent mast nearby.
