REMOVE MAST OR WE'LL CHOP IT DOWN
http://tinyurl.com/ldma2
10:30 - 25 March 2006
Villagers in Beckford took to the streets armed with chainsaws and axes after a telegraph pole appeared on their village green.
Bt didn't need planning permission to put the 23ft pole slap bang in the middle of the green. But it didn't bank on the fury of the residents. The pole appeared on Tuesday, ruining views of the ninth century church and dwarfing an oak planted in 1990 to mark the Queen Mother's 90th birthday.
Villagers started a petition and kicked up such a fuss that by Thursday, BT caved in and removed the mast.
Sally Stringer, who runs Beckford Stores, said residents would be keeping a close eye on the situation.
She said workmen told her the pole had been put in the wrong place and that it would have to go elsewhere.
"We got 36 names on a petition in half a day before they came and took the pole away," she said.
"I understand cables have to be replaced but they can put them underground. This area is so special.
"It's a beautiful village green. What they did was a legalised form of vandalism. The village was spitting about it.
"It spoiled an outstanding view of the church. It was totally out of order."
BT did not need planning permission for the pole because the village green is common land.
County councillor Adrian Hardman (Con, Bredon) said: "It's one of the prettiest views around Bredon Hill.
"The tree was completely dwarfed by the giant pole. It was quite extraordinary."
BT spokeswoman Anna Steven said: "The installation of a new pole was necessary to raise overhead cable.
"BT has statutory powers to site equipment on public land but we always consider a range of factors such as best possible position in terms of the service to be provided, visual amenity and local circumstances.
"On occasions the balance between cost effectiveness, aesthetics and safety can be difficult to achieve.
"In this case, given local objections, the pole has been removed in the interim while we seek an alternative solution."
"It spoiled an outstanding view of the church. It was totally out of order."
Informant: Eileen O'Connor
10:30 - 25 March 2006
Villagers in Beckford took to the streets armed with chainsaws and axes after a telegraph pole appeared on their village green.
Bt didn't need planning permission to put the 23ft pole slap bang in the middle of the green. But it didn't bank on the fury of the residents. The pole appeared on Tuesday, ruining views of the ninth century church and dwarfing an oak planted in 1990 to mark the Queen Mother's 90th birthday.
Villagers started a petition and kicked up such a fuss that by Thursday, BT caved in and removed the mast.
Sally Stringer, who runs Beckford Stores, said residents would be keeping a close eye on the situation.
She said workmen told her the pole had been put in the wrong place and that it would have to go elsewhere.
"We got 36 names on a petition in half a day before they came and took the pole away," she said.
"I understand cables have to be replaced but they can put them underground. This area is so special.
"It's a beautiful village green. What they did was a legalised form of vandalism. The village was spitting about it.
"It spoiled an outstanding view of the church. It was totally out of order."
BT did not need planning permission for the pole because the village green is common land.
County councillor Adrian Hardman (Con, Bredon) said: "It's one of the prettiest views around Bredon Hill.
"The tree was completely dwarfed by the giant pole. It was quite extraordinary."
BT spokeswoman Anna Steven said: "The installation of a new pole was necessary to raise overhead cable.
"BT has statutory powers to site equipment on public land but we always consider a range of factors such as best possible position in terms of the service to be provided, visual amenity and local circumstances.
"On occasions the balance between cost effectiveness, aesthetics and safety can be difficult to achieve.
"In this case, given local objections, the pole has been removed in the interim while we seek an alternative solution."
"It spoiled an outstanding view of the church. It was totally out of order."
Informant: Eileen O'Connor
rudkla - 26. Mär, 22:36
