«Latest  ‹Forward   News item: 3618  Back›  Oldest» 

Mobile phone masts refused amid protests over locations
United Kingdom Created: 24 Nov 2008
FOUR out of seven mobile phone masts to cover 'blind spot' areas in Torbay have been refused planning permission.

Torbay Council's development control committee was considering the applications by mobile phone company Vodaphone for slimline masts, to be disguised as telegraph poles or lamp standards, and equipment cabinet stations, to fill in areas of poor 3G signal reception.

The company wanted masts between 10 and 15 metres high at Herbert Road, Hawkins Road, St Vincent's Road, Perinville Road, Grafton Road and Warberry Road in Torquay, and Lammas Lane in Paignton.

Planner Mike Smith said the structures would be mono-pole masts rather than lattice structures as they were designed to give line of sight cover for small areas of just a few roads.

He said: "The company has had complaints about inadequate coverage and its contract obliges it to fill in the gaps."

There were public protests about Herbert Road, Hawkins Avenue and Perinville Road, and each was refused.

Vaughan Meuis, objecting to the mast for Herbert Road, Cockington, a conservation area, said: "It would introduce an angular and alien structure to an area of period houses and open space."

Councillors voted the plan down to protect the conservation area and trees.

Mr Meuis said: "There are a number of other sites, possibly higher up where they could get better coverage."

There was also an objection to Hawkins Road from Allan Macfadyn, who said: "A galvanised pole would be five times higher than the existing bus stop, is a completely unnecessary eyesore and would set a dangerous precedent."

The plan was refused because of its impact on an amenity area.

Torre primary headteacher Nicky Bridgewater spoke against the plan for a mast in Perinville Road.

She said her school was about 100 metres from the site and it was impossible to know what risks there could be in the future especially for the youngest children.

She said she feared parents would vote with their feet and take their children away from the school and added: "I can see a future where we are known as 'that school by the mast'."

The mast was refused planning permission for siting and design.

Mrs Bridgewater said: "I am delighted. They have safeguarded the children's future."

There were no public representations regarding masts at Grafton Road, Lower Warberry Road, and Lammas Lane and the sites were approved unanimously.
Click here to view the source article.
Source: South Devon Herald Express, 24 Nov 2008

«Latest  ‹Forward   News item: 3618  Back›  Oldest»