«Latest  ‹Forward   News item: 3876  Back›  Oldest» 

Phone mast protesters vow to continue fight
United Kingdom Created: 19 Mar 2009
Campaigners in a part of the city which has been besieged by a spate of phone mast applications have vowed to fight on despite losing their latest battle.

As the Evening News reported in January, families living in the Earlham area of Norwich had already contested eight masts and four appeals on the basis that they were an unsightly blight on the community.

But Vodafone has now been granted permission to install a 10m imitation telegraph pole in Cunningham Road, Earlham, after winning its appeal. The application was turned down by Norwich City Council's planning committee at the end of last year.

Opponents to the mast have said they are “devastated” with the outcome - the first time the area has lost a campaign against a phone mast - but they still hope to overturn the plans.

Roy Blower, city councillor for University ward, said: “It's a sad day that something as intrusive as that is going to be plonked in front of people.

“People have enough in life to overcome without having to look at these ugly things - it's not just the masts it's the boxes as well.

“The company has taken the cheap option by plonking it on the verge where it doesn't cost them anything but they could go on high buildings and be out of people's way.”

Enquiries are being made to see where exactly the mast will be installed as it is believed the mast and its boxes are planned to be inside the pathway - on council-owned land.

It is hoped if this is the case, the council will still be able to turn it down.

Rupert Read, city councillor for Wensum ward, said: “I'm disappointed with decision and concerned about the effect this may have on residents and children in the area given we still don't have any good studies that these mobile phone masts are safe.

“This goes to show once again we need to change the planning laws to make it harder for mobile phone companies to impose masts on areas where residents don't want them.”

A Vodafone spokeswoman said: “We were disappointed that Norwich City Council decided to refuse the application for planning permission and we made a thorough review of the reasons for refusal and the potential alternatives available.

“The proposed site at Cunningham Road was the best site to provide the coverage improvements and therefore we decided to appeal the refusal. After a site visit by an independent planning inspector this appeal has been allowed. In his appeal decision the inspector commented that “the development's visual impact on the street scene and the appearance of the locality would be very modest.”

At the end of last year, a bid to prevent O2 putting up a phone mast at the front of Earlham police station ended in victory for campaigners.

And as the Evening News reported last week, families living in the area have also launched a battle to block Orange's proposals for a 12m imitation telegraph pole in Earlham Green Lane.

The Evening News, through its Put Masts on Hold campaign, has fought against mobile phone masts being installed near homes and schools until it is proved they are safe.

Are you battling against a mobile phone mast in your area? Call reporter Kate Scotter on 01603 772326 or email kate.scotter {-at-} archant.co.uk
Click here to view the source article.
Source: Norwich Evening News, KATE SCOTTER, 17 Mar 2009

«Latest  ‹Forward   News item: 3876  Back›  Oldest»