A Hessle resident has spoken of his anger after plans for a 20m 5G mast were approved despite objections from himself, councillors and the local town council.

Martin Harber, 64, of First Lane, said he failed to see why the mast needed to be placed on his street when alternative locations were available.

The Vodafone mast is set to be built on the corner of First Lane and Berriman Way.

He added that East Riding Council, which approved the plans, should have taken residents' concerns about its visual impact, possible health effects and the local environment into account. Other residents objected over possible radiation from the masts.

Hessle Town Council also strongly objected to the plans and called for East Riding Council to put them before its Western Area Planning Sub-Committee.

East Riding councillor for Hessle, David Nolan, and town councillor Graham Fordham, of Northfield Ward where the mast is to be built, also opposed the plans being passed without a meeting.

The plans for the 5G mast
The plans for the 5G mast

A report from East Riding Council on the plans stated the mast would be close to other street fittings such as lights and telegraph poles meaning it would not be out of place.

Vodafone said in a statement: "5G is safe and the levels of radiation emitted are not harmful". The company stated in its application that there was no other suitable location for the mast.

Mr Harber said he and other residents did not disapprove of a mast going up in Hessle but they felt there were other more suitable locations.

Mr Harber said: "The mast is going to be an eyesore on the corner of a well kept green area.

"The key thing for us is its location near to our homes, which could have an effect on their value.

"If people come to view a house and they see a massive structure like that it's going to put people off.

"It seems there was little effort put into coming up with an alternative location.

"There's also an open discussion about the impact these masts can have on people's health but I wouldn't want to say one way or another.

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"So it's really frustrating that East Riding Council seem to have just put it through."

Cllr Fordham, who lives near to the site of the mast, said he was "very disappointed" that permission had been granted.

Cllr Fordham said: "Because of the coronavirus situation we weren't able to rally round as we normally would. We would have tried to get a petition going to stop the plans.

"The mast is a utility which is covered by different rules than normal planning applications.

The 5G mast plans
The 5G mast plans

"But Hessle councillors were 100 per cent opposed to this. What's the point of having a town council if the East Riding can just do what they want?

"It's right in a residential area, there's far better places to put it. There's a commercial area about 200 yards away where trees and bushes could have obscured parts of it.

"Because it's on the corner of First Lane and Berriman Way it's going to obstruct drivers from pulling in and out.

"There's also an ancient hedgerow on the site that's been there since the 1840's, so wildlife could be disturbed when this goes up."

The corner of First Lane and Berriman Way which is set for a 20m 5G mast.

Cllr Nolan said he was "appalled" that approval had been granted without putting the plans before a council committee.

Cllr Nolan said: "Residents objected on the reasonable grounds that the mast would obstruct views from their homes. There were also some health concerns.

"Residents down there were up in arms about it. During consultations a site at Boothferry Road was suggested.

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"We've had two other masts go up in Hessle and there were no objections for those. The difference is that this one is in a residential area.

"I'm appalled that this has gone through, it shouldn't have done. Residents can't appeal because they're a third party but I will be asking the council why this was accepted."

East Riding Council's report on the plans stated that while the mast was taller than others in the town, its design meant the impact would be minimal.

The report added the council had no reason to dispute Vodafone's claim that there were no other suitable areas to put the mast.

The report stated: "The proposed mast, albeit taller than the mast at the nearby junction at Boothferry Road, would be of a similar slim line design and coloured in a pale shade of grey in keeping with other street furniture.

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"The siting and appearance of the installation is typical of this type of modern telecommunications infrastructure.

"It is not for the local planning authority to question the need for an electronic communications system and the sitings of such installations are dictated by operational constraints.

"First Lane is one of the main routes through Hessle and is a busy carriageway that is lined with street furniture typical of an urban area.

"Vertical structures such as street lighting columns, telegraph poles, directional signage and other items are commonplace in the streetscene."

Vodafone said in a statement that it always complied with regulations to ensure its telecommunications equipment was safe.

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The company said: "Vodafone takes the safety of our customers, the public and the environment very seriously.

"Some radiation is harmful but most of it is not. The emissions from mobile phone technology, including 5G frequencies, is not strong enough to do any damage.

"Compliance with the guidelines ensures that there is no adverse impact on the health of those using mobile phones or living in communities where our base stations, or masts, are located."

Plans for the mast come as part of the wider rollout of 5G across the country.