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| Students succeed in anti mobile phone mast petition | |
| United Kingdom | Created: 16 May 2008 |
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MOBILE phone company 02 has agreed to look for a new site for one of its masts. Talks have started with the aim of finding an alternative site for the phone mast outside outside Newmarket College. But even if a suitable new location is found for the mast there will need to be further talks about who will pay for moving it and its associated equipment. The cost could be £150,000. Students at Newmarket College have started a petition against the mast, which appeared four months ago in Exning Road next to the school entrance and the new public swimming pool. People living nearby complained they were not consulted and councillors were unaware of the plans until the mast was erected. Richard Spring, MP for Newmarket, has complained about the mast and argued it should not be outside a school. Forest Heath District Council opened negotiations with 02 this week. The council previously admitted that it slipped up by failing to respond to the company's notification about the mast within the required 56-day time limit and Richard Watson, the council's head of planning, had described the situation as "irretrievable". However, councillors insisted a concentrated effort should be made to convince the company to find another site. Angela Johnson, representing 02, met senior officers and councillors on Tuesday and agreed to revisit a number of alternative site options for a possible relocation of the mast. The mast is not yet operational and the council is hoping the company will delay their intended switch-on date while talks continue. Cllr Geoffrey Jaggard, council leader, said after the meeting: "It was a very positive discussion and, while there are no promises as yet and some complex issues, we are committed to working together to address public concerns." Mrs Johnson, 02's community relations manager, said: "We have made no promises. But we will work with the district council to find a mutually acceptable new site." |
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| Click here to view the source article. | |
| Source: Cambridge News, John Goode, 16 May 2008 | |
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