Royal milliner loved by Kate Middleton and Princess Eugenie wins two-year 5G mast battle

A hatmaker beloved by the Royal Family has won a two-year legal battle to stop a 65 foot phone mast being erected in the heart of a historic village.

Milliner to the stars Vivien Sheriff – whose designs have been worn by the Duchess of Cambridge and Princess Eugenie – was left appalled by the ‘aggressive’ tactics of the mobile companies trying to get the 5G tower put up near her home in Hampshire’s New Forest.

Ms Sheriff, in her 50s, and her husband Ian spent tens of thousands of pounds of their own money to stop planning bids for the mast.

The proposal was rejected by national park authorities thanks to her efforts, but she says she feels like she has been through ‘hell’.

‘It is just unbelievable the lengths these companies go to,’ she said. ‘It’s been the most unbelievably difficult time, so stressful.

Pictured: Where the proposed location of the 5G mast would be.  Ms Sheriff was left appalled by the ‘aggressive’ tactics of the mobile companies trying to get the 5G tower put up near her home in Hampshire’s New Forest

‘I don’t know how to put it any other way than harassment. The calls we received became more and more frequent and persistent. It’s something that has dominated our lives. It’s been absolutely horrendous.

Ms Sheriff was first approached by Mobile Broadband Networks Ltd (MBNL), a joint venture company between EE and Three, in 2020.

The firm wanted to build the mast on a one and a half acre plot of land she owns in Frogham, where the average house price is £650,000.

The land is known locally as Harry’s Field and is home to the annual village fete – famous for its uphill wheelbarrow race – and Ms Sheriff’s family-run campsite business.

Under the plan, the 20 metre high mast would have towered above the treeline at the site, which locals say functions much like the village green.

When they made their first approach, MBNL asked to take a survey of her land, which Ms Sheriff refused.

‘We have lived here all our lives and we have a great respect for the area,’ she said. ‘We’ve got the interest of the village at heart.

‘[Our objection] genuinely wasn’t only because it would destroy our business. It goes against everything aesthetically – it would have been right in the centre of the village.

‘The pub next door would also be under threat as it relies on the trade from the campsite.’

Her defiance prompted what she describes as ‘continued threats and harassment’ including a warning that she could be taken to court and forced to pay huge legal fees.

‘They got increasingly more aggressive,’ she said. ‘They were trying to set out their rights that if we don’t give permission. They said they would take us to a tribunal.

‘It would have cost upwards of £100,000 in order to defend ourselves – they have such extraordinary rights.’

Miliner Vivien Sheriff’s designs have been worn by Kate Middleton. At least 50 guests at Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding were wearing Ms Sheriff’s hats and fascinators

Princess Eugenie, among several other royals, is also a fan of the designs of Ms Sheriff

Ms Sheriff said MBNL were trying to use emergency permitted development rights but that the criteria did not apply in this case.

She was told if MBNL’s application was refused, it could lead to the loss of communication for emergency services but she said she found they use an entirely separate network.

But such was their persistence, Ms Sheriff reluctantly agreed to allow the company access to the campsite to do a survey.

As she felt so ‘scared’, she ‘unwillingly’ let them on her land before she received a proposal for a temporary mast. But the ‘intimidation’ did not end there.

She was then told statutory notices under the Electronic Communications Code for both temporary and permanent installations had been made.

The plan also included an access route running diagonally from the field entrance which she was told would have to be constantly kept clear.

Ms Sheriff said the mobile companies would also have had the right to lop trees and install generators in the field which would be audible within a tent.

But the local community rallied around against the plan.

The Parish Council thought ‘strongly’ that the siting of the proposal was ‘unacceptable’. And when the New Forest National Park Authority came to consider the application in August last year, 130 objections had been received with just two submissions in support.

The NFPA rejected the proposal in November, ruling it would have a ‘detrimental impact on the character and appearance’ of the area.

However, although the phone companies are now examining other sites, there are fears locally they could appeal.

‘The mast would devalue our land and the local properties and the sensitive New Forest environment,’ Ms Sheriff said. ‘The New Forest planning authority sent them away to do their due diligence.

‘We have only been able to fight it because of our determination and the help of our consultant who is an expert on this complex law.’

While Ms Sheriff agrees connectivity is relied on by everyone, she believes MBNL’s installations should be appropriately sited and designed, especially in a National Park, and avoid impacting local businesses that provide services and employment to the local area.

To try to ward off any further approaches Ms Sheriff has enlisted the help of New Forest West MP Sir Desmond Swayne, who mentioned her case in the House of Commons in January during a debate.

Sir Desmond wants the law changed to check the power of telecommunication firms.

He told MPs: ‘I have a constituent who refused a survey-she did not want a mast, because it would compromise her existing enterprise-but caved in when she was threatened with court action.

‘Then, when she refused the terms of the mast, she was presented with statutory orders requiring access for both a temporary and a permanent mast.

‘Of course, getting legal advice comes at an enormous cost. Happily, New Forest National Park Authority has thrown out (the application)… but the battle, the uncertainty and the cost continue.’

Since the decision, MBNL have promised to review their conduct.

Will Osborne, MBNL national planning manager, said in a statement: ‘[We seek] to conduct all negotiations with existing or potential site providers in the right manner, recognising the importance of the relationship with them.

‘We will be reviewing our communications to check that these standards continue to be met.

‘Maintaining coverage for customers in this area of the New Forest is extremely important for local residents and businesses, as high quality telecoms coverage is a necessary requirement for modern day living.

‘Since being advised of the need to find a replacement location, we have worked tirelessly to do so, including asking the local council for alternative sites.

‘We remain committed to working with the local community and land owners to find a solution, and have already arranged for a representative from MBNL to meet with parish councillors and local planning authority representatives later this month to discuss where may be suitable to locate a telecoms mast.’

For the past 20 years, Ms Sheriff has run Vivien Sheriff Ltd, a millinery business.

Ms Sheriff creates ‘exceptionally original, undeniably British, luxury headwear’ which has been worn by the Duchess of Cambridge – including for her first Royal engagement in 2011 – as well as her sister Pippa Middleton.

And at least 50 guests at Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding were wearing her hats and fascinators, all of which are handmade from a converted farmhouses in Downton, Wiltshire.

Ms Sheriff set up Harry’s Field campsite in 2015 next door to the home her family have lived in since 1978.