North Walsham Road phone mast victory
PETER WALSH
31 March 2006 10:28
Campaigners were today celebrating after councillors rejected plans for a mobile phone mast to be sited in the north of the city.
Telecommunications giant O2 had wanted to install a slimline mast on a verge next to 147 North Walsham Road.
But Broadland District Council's planning committee was unanimous in its decision to reject the application because the prominence of the mast would have a “significant detrimental impact upon the character and appearance of the site and more widely the surrounding area as a whole”.
The planning committee's decision came after it received 141 separate letters of objection from people living in the area in addition to a petition with 432 signatures on it.
Trevor Weinle, 58, who lives near to the proposed site, was one of the people responsible for the campaign.
He was at the planning meeting and was delighted the council has decided to reject the application.
“We've done a lot of campaigning and local people have been brilliant,” he said.
“I'm pleased the planning authority has been on our side and as far as I'm concerned the system has worked well.”
But Mr Weinle, who spoke on behalf of the other objectors at the meeting, said he did not expect this to be an end to the matter.
“What worries me is that O2 now has the right to appeal this decision and can take that to an outside inspector and the whole thing can be overturned,” he said.
“We're very pleased it's gone this far; this has been a great day for the whole community, but we do see it as a battle won rather than the whole war.
“O2 may yet install a mast on this site or another somewhere in the vicinity and other operators are waiting in the wings for a slice of the action.”
The Evening News' Put Masts on Hold campaign has fought against the installation of mobile phone masts near homes and schools until it is proved they are safe.
Are you fighting against plans to put up a phone mast in your neighbourhood? Call Peter Walsh at the Evening News on (01603) 772439 or email peter.walsh@archant.co.uk
Copyright © 2006 Archant Regional. All rights reserved.
http://tinyurl.com/jtsbt
31 March 2006 10:28
Campaigners were today celebrating after councillors rejected plans for a mobile phone mast to be sited in the north of the city.
Telecommunications giant O2 had wanted to install a slimline mast on a verge next to 147 North Walsham Road.
But Broadland District Council's planning committee was unanimous in its decision to reject the application because the prominence of the mast would have a “significant detrimental impact upon the character and appearance of the site and more widely the surrounding area as a whole”.
The planning committee's decision came after it received 141 separate letters of objection from people living in the area in addition to a petition with 432 signatures on it.
Trevor Weinle, 58, who lives near to the proposed site, was one of the people responsible for the campaign.
He was at the planning meeting and was delighted the council has decided to reject the application.
“We've done a lot of campaigning and local people have been brilliant,” he said.
“I'm pleased the planning authority has been on our side and as far as I'm concerned the system has worked well.”
But Mr Weinle, who spoke on behalf of the other objectors at the meeting, said he did not expect this to be an end to the matter.
“What worries me is that O2 now has the right to appeal this decision and can take that to an outside inspector and the whole thing can be overturned,” he said.
“We're very pleased it's gone this far; this has been a great day for the whole community, but we do see it as a battle won rather than the whole war.
“O2 may yet install a mast on this site or another somewhere in the vicinity and other operators are waiting in the wings for a slice of the action.”
The Evening News' Put Masts on Hold campaign has fought against the installation of mobile phone masts near homes and schools until it is proved they are safe.
Are you fighting against plans to put up a phone mast in your neighbourhood? Call Peter Walsh at the Evening News on (01603) 772439 or email peter.walsh@archant.co.uk
Copyright © 2006 Archant Regional. All rights reserved.
http://tinyurl.com/jtsbt
rudkla - 31. Mär, 18:13
