Landowners fight back over phone masts after 90pc rent cuts

Landowners are launching a campaign against phone firms after being forced to accept rent cuts of 90pc or more for mobile masts on their properties.
The Protect & Connect lobby group is seeking to reform a 2017 law which slashed the amount landlords are paid in a bid to make it cheaper for phone firms to set masts up, with the aim of improving patchy signal in rural areas.
At least 25,000 small site owners have been stung by the cuts including cricket clubs, churches and farmers, campaigners said.
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Ministers are now consulting on changes to the law, with internet access campaigners calling for it be tightened up so that rents fall again and mobile internet reach is further expanded. Protect & Connect is seeking changes which will restore some of landlords' lost profits.
One landowner claimed their rent was slashed from £5,000 a year to £10. Others said their rents were cut from more than £1,000 to £37. Many landlords' rents fell by 90pc or more, the group said.
Campaign chair Anna Turley said: “Telecoms companies are hugely profitable and have recently been handed generous state subsidies to roll out high speed networks, particularly in rural areas.
“The individuals and organisations that have been forced to accept rental reductions of up to 90 per cent include farming families, amateur sports clubs, small business and parish councils.
"We will campaign tirelessly on their behalf to expose the aggressive tactics employed by telecoms operators and their agents and ensure property owners get a fair deal.”
A spokesman for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said: "We are aware of concerns about how the code is working and this is precisely why we have launched a consultation to look at whether legislative changes are needed. We encourage those affected to contribute and make their voices heard."
Speed Up Britain, which represents telecoms companies, was approached for comment.

Landowners are launching a campaign against phone firms after being forced to accept rent cuts of 90pc or more for mobile masts on their properties.
The Protect & Connect lobby group is seeking to reform a 2017 law which slashed the amount landlords are paid in a bid to make it cheaper for phone firms to set masts up, with the aim of improving patchy signal in rural areas.
At least 25,000 small site owners have been stung by the cuts including cricket clubs, churches and farmers, campaigners said.
​
Ministers are now consulting on changes to the law, with internet access campaigners calling for it be tightened up so that rents fall again and mobile internet reach is further expanded. Protect & Connect is seeking changes which will restore some of landlords' lost profits.
​
One landowner claimed their rent was slashed from £5,000 a year to £10. Others said their rents were cut from more than £1,000 to £37. Many landlords' rents fell by 90pc or more, the group said.
Campaign chair Anna Turley said: “Telecoms companies are hugely profitable and have recently been handed generous state subsidies to roll out high speed networks, particularly in rural areas.
​
“The individuals and organisations that have been forced to accept rental reductions of up to 90 per cent include farming families, amateur sports clubs, small business and parish councils.
"We will campaign tirelessly on their behalf to expose the aggressive tactics employed by telecoms operators and their agents and ensure property owners get a fair deal.”
​
A spokesman for the Department for Culture, Media and Sport said: "We are aware of concerns about how the code is working and this is precisely why we have launched a consultation to look at whether legislative changes are needed. We encourage those affected to contribute and make their voices heard."
​
Speed Up Britain, which represents telecoms companies, was approached for comment.