Verdict in for EE's new 20-metre 5G phone mast in South Tyneside as locals tell of 'desperate need'
Plans for a new 20-metre-high telecoms mast to boost 5G coverage in the Hebburn area of South Tyneside have been given the green light.
South Tyneside Council’s planning department has approved an application for telecoms infrastructure on a grass verge off Victoria Road West in the borough’s Hebburn South ward.
Supporting planning documents linked to the planning bid said there were “no technically feasible or less harmful alternative options within the vicinity than the proposed due to being in line with the National Planning Policy Framework and the minimal visual impact associated with the proposed upgrade at this location”.
It was argued that “the chosen site will allow to maintain and provide greater 5G coverage and mobile phone capacity to the area, and in the future 5G technology”.
A design, access and supporting statement submitted with the plans also noted the proposed development lies within an “established residential setting and fronts directly onto the highway, forming part of the landscaped buffer between the road carriageway and the adjoining properties”.
The supporting document said the “proposed streetworks pole structure will be of a similar appearance to the existing street lighting columns in the area” and that “this specific mast design is often utilised in residential areas to meet the specific visual requirements of the local area”.
Those behind the scheme said the “height of the proposal, and the overall design of the streetworks streetpole, have been kept to a minimum to ensure that any visual impact is reduced where practicable, the antennas are structurally stable, and that improved network coverage is provided to the local area.”
Planning documents also confirmed that the “proposed mast will not only service voice calls but will include provision for 3G and 4G”, as well as providing coverage for “all the blue light services” and 5G coverage.
During a council public consultation exercise on the plans, there were two representations in support of the proposal from the same address.
The representations, summarised in a council report, noted that “mobile signal in Hebburn has been relatively poor for years, especially in the town centre” and that “with the recent surge in new housing developments and population growth, network capacity has fallen even further”, with impacts on both residents and businesses.
The supporting comments added that “our community is in desperate need of modern infrastructure like this” and urged the council to approve the plans so “Hebburn can finally receive the reliable, modern mobile coverage it deserves.”
After considering the planning application, South Tyneside Council’s planning department approved it on December 16, 2025.
Council planners, in a decision report, said “the site at Victoria Road West is part of the wider network and provides the coverage and capacity for a number of dwellings and businesses within the vicinity of the site”.
It was noted that “the siting of the [new] equipment in this location would be acceptable” and that the increased mast height was needed due to an “operational requirement” which means “the antennas need to be raised sufficiently high enough over the surrounding area to rise above obstructions that can block/interrupt signals”.
The council decision report added: “Despite the height of the monopole, it is considered that the proposal including the equipment cabinets and associated development would be of an acceptable appearance, evidence has been submitted demonstrating that the proposed monopole would be the least visually intrusive design possible to enable technologies to operate efficiently due to the required cell search area.
“The equipment cabinets would be small in scale and would also have an acceptable visual impact.
“Both the monopole and the equipment cabinets would be an acceptable colour (fir green).
“Whilst it cannot be denied that the 20m high monopole would have a visual impact due to its necessary height, as there are other, albeit smaller vertical features in the vicinity (such as street lighting columns and trees), its appearance is not considered to be so materially detrimental to the extent that it would warrant refusal of this prior notification application.”
Those behind the scheme previously said the development would upgrade an existing telecoms site to “provide the area with improved and enhanced coverage and connectivity offering 5G to the surrounding area”.
A design, access and supporting statement added: “It is considered that the proposed development is wholly appropriate for the local area, and that the economic, environmental and social benefits which will be brought forward by the proposal will greatly outweigh any visual impact that may be caused by the upgrade of the existing base station.”
For more information on the plan and council decision, visit South Tyneside Council’s planning portal website and search reference: 250672
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