A borough MP says councils and communities have been “left voiceless” over 5G masts and has called for tougher rules to install the structures. 

Jim McMahon, MP for Oldham West and Royton, said he would back tougher regulations for telecoms companies who want to install 5G masts in the borough.

Mr McMahon and Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams have called on the government to force telecoms companies, such as BT, Vodafone and IX Wireless to undergo an application and consultation process before 5G masts can be installed.

Current regulations under the National Planning Policy Framework give the masts prior approval for installation, meaning they do not need to gain consent from council planning committees to erect the masts.

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Mr McMahon and Ms Abrahams spoke in favour of changes to planning laws during a parliamentary debate, called by the Oldham West and Royton MP on Wednesday, to discuss the impact of 5G mast installations in Greater Manchester.

Mr McMahon argued that while companies such as IX Wireless operate within the law, residents are being denied a say on whether 5G masts are installed in their communities.

He said: “The community impact is felt heavily by many people in Greater Manchester including constituents of mine on Oldham West, Chadderton and in Royton.

“They are large, they change the character of the area, for instance, at Chadderton Hall Park where the installation above the children’s play area and community café no effort was made whatsoever to minimise the impact on the visual amenity.

“So houses that were once overlooking a very beautiful park across the road are now looking at this huge telephone equipment.

He added that “councils are left powerless and communities are left voiceless” over the masts and expressed concern that current mast technology would soon become obsolete.

He added: “None of us know today what practical commercial lifespan these current 5G masts and fixed wireless units will have in the future given the rate of technological change."

However, the MP added that he had undertaken successful meetings with IX Wireless to ensure residents have more say over mast installations, including at a meeting at Chadderton Town Hall last July.

He said talks had resulted in an agreement from IX Wireless to remove or move some of the masts, or, in instances where masts cannot be moved, to paint or decorate the structures.

Mr McMahon added he had reached another agreement with IX Wireless and Oldham Council that will see the company undergo an application and consultation process for further masts.

Ms Abrahams also said: “This is an issue across Oldham East from Shaw up to Grasscroft, it’s a massive issue.

"One constituent I called on said literally overnight it (a mast) appeared at the end of their garden." 

Responding to concerns at the debate, Julia Lopez, Minister of State (Minister for Data and Digital Infrastructure) and Minister of State for Media, Tourism and Creative Industries said she will meet with government colleagues and communications regulator Ofcom about the issue next week.

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She added: “It is absolutely right that [residents’ concerns] are addressed because this is not what we sought to happen.

“There is an overall and well supported policy aim in relation to connectivity, [but] we do not want broad support for that connectivity agenda to be undermined by bad practise because reliable, fast digital connectivity is absolutely vital for the prosperity of our country.

“It is very important that every part of the country has fantastic connectivity, I do not want to see a digital divide emerge.

“The policy intention is to empower communities by making sure they have the infrastructure they need and I do not want them to feel this is leading to a deterioration in the overall amenities of their areas.”

IX Wireless said they welcomed any calls for "greater community engagement".

A spokesperson for the firm said: “We have continually engaged with local communities and where possible we have attempted to rectify any issues that residents may have.

“We welcome any calls for greater community engagement. It is something we have been proud of doing in the areas where our broadband service has been rolled out. The teams have worked hard to do this despite the challenges.

“We have regularly liaised with authorities and when asked to use ‘prior approval’ versus ‘permitted development rights’, the company, where possible, has obliged.

“On occasions, the telegraph poles have been moved or painted to ensure residents needs are met. In some locations the company has agreed to wrap cabinets with locally supported initiatives.

“IX Wireless has been keen to take part in the process of consultation and planning even when it not legally required to do so.

“We thank local authorities such as Oldham, for their commitment so we can help deliver this network which will ultimately bring lower prices and more competition.”