Brighton and Hove phone mast appeal
Plans had previously been turned down
Last updated 11th Nov 2025
A mobile phone company has appealed after plans for a 66ft (20-metre) phone mast were turned down by Brighton and Hove City Council.
Cornerstone, which works with various mobile phone operators, including Vodafone and 3, now known as Vodafone Three, wanted to put up the mast in Dyke Road, at the top of The Upper Drive, Hove.
The application was refused because of its proposed location in the “green gateway” to Brighton and Hove, with a suggestion that it would create “visual clutter” in the street.
More than 50 written objections were sent to the council as well as a petition with 282 signatures. Two supporting comments were submitted.
Objectors were concerned about the effect of the mast on the “green gateway” because of the site being close to Dyke Road Park.
Cornerstone has submitted 41 documents to the Planning Inspectorate including examples of similar appeals and photo montages showing how the pole would look from Highcroft Villas, The Upper Drive and north and south along Dyke Road.
Cornerstone said in its appeal statement: “As part of a continued network improvement programme on behalf of Vodafone Three, there is a specific requirement for a network coverage solution within this part of Prestonville in the north west of Brighton to provide essential infrastructure for improved network coverage and capacity along with the establishment of new super-fast 5G services.”
Cornerstone said that Vodafone Three could not upgrade its current masts, which look like flagpoles on the Quebec Barracks, in Dyke Road.
The company said that this was because 5G required six antennas and there was too little space on the roof because there was another base station in the corners of the building disguised with boxes.
The company said that the council did not provide a “well-balanced and comprehensive evaluation” of the application and did not “give weight” to the need for 5G infrastructure.
Cornerstone said: “Unfortunately, there is a growing trend within the council to oppose appropriately sited and designed street furniture base station development proposals such as the appeal proposal.
“This position is resulting in large sections of Brighton’s suburban area being subject to limited and ineffective communication services.
“(This) directly contradicts national government and council aims to support the digital economy, global competitiveness, and the right infrastructure for underpinning world-class connectivity.”