Mobile mast row
hg.editorial@archant.co.uk
03 November 2006
FURIOUS residents have barred access to the roof to their block of flats after workers tried to install mobile phone masts that Hackney Council had already rejected.
Mobile phone giants O2 were refused permission to put up six antennae at Union Wharf in Wenlock Road, Hoxton, but their sub-contractors were caught red-handed trying to start building work a few weeks ago.
Residents are outraged, claiming that O2 are behaving disgracefully, and have padlocked access to the roof to make sure workers cannot sneak back in.
Ann Major-Stevenson, 45, who owns a flat in the block, slammed the company, saying: "I find the underhanded way big businesses have of going about railroading communities for the sake of profit to be immoral and unethical."
The mobile phone company hit back, saying that the council had failed to notify its refusal on time.
Spokesman James Stevenson said: "The council did refuse, but after the permitted 56 days had ended.
A council spokeswoman rejected his claims. "Hackney Council considers that the application was refused within the correct time frame," she said.
"Complaints have been lodged and the planning enforcement team is investigating."
FOR THE FULL STORY SEE THIS WEEK'S GAZETTE AVAILABLE NOW.
Copyright © 2006 Archant Regional. All rights reserved.
http://tinyurl.com/ue46q
03 November 2006
FURIOUS residents have barred access to the roof to their block of flats after workers tried to install mobile phone masts that Hackney Council had already rejected.
Mobile phone giants O2 were refused permission to put up six antennae at Union Wharf in Wenlock Road, Hoxton, but their sub-contractors were caught red-handed trying to start building work a few weeks ago.
Residents are outraged, claiming that O2 are behaving disgracefully, and have padlocked access to the roof to make sure workers cannot sneak back in.
Ann Major-Stevenson, 45, who owns a flat in the block, slammed the company, saying: "I find the underhanded way big businesses have of going about railroading communities for the sake of profit to be immoral and unethical."
The mobile phone company hit back, saying that the council had failed to notify its refusal on time.
Spokesman James Stevenson said: "The council did refuse, but after the permitted 56 days had ended.
A council spokeswoman rejected his claims. "Hackney Council considers that the application was refused within the correct time frame," she said.
"Complaints have been lodged and the planning enforcement team is investigating."
FOR THE FULL STORY SEE THIS WEEK'S GAZETTE AVAILABLE NOW.
Copyright © 2006 Archant Regional. All rights reserved.
http://tinyurl.com/ue46q
rudkla - 3. Nov, 17:44
