NEW BATTLE IS LOOMING OVER MOBILE PHONE MAST PLAN
10/08/2006
VODAFONE is pressing ahead with its plans to build a mobile phone mast in Horsell Way despite massive opposition from residents.
The application by Vodafone was first made public in November, when residents were consulted on the idea of building a 10-metre construction on the junction of Horsell Way and Horsell Birch.
They condemned the plans as unsuitable and Woking MP Humfrey Malins wrote personally to Lord MacLaurin, chairman of Vodafone, to plead the case of around 100 families who had met him during a site visit.
Ward councillor Ann-Marie Barker said: “We suggested other suitable sites to Vodafone, including a site on Horsell Common that the Horsell Common Preservation Society said it would not oppose. But this was thought to be too far away. We also suggested the Littlewick roundabout but this was apparently in the green belt.
“The site is quite close to the Church of England and the Infant school isn’t far away either. The little place that they are proposing is called Buttercup Corner and it’s got rather nice green trees.
“Vodafone says the trees will mask the mast but they are deciduous so they won’t do all year round.
“It is a nice little spot where people go a lot but they would be confronted by this mast in a dense residential area. Cllr Richard Sanderson and I are working together on this to get a letter out to residents to let them know what Vodafone is doing and allow them time to get any objections in.
“I do think this is a highly inappropriate place for a mast.”
Caroline Brooker, a resident of Horsell Way, said: “We are really concerned to be honest because last year this application first emerged and we objected against it then.
“We have been messed around by Vodafone and it’s very stressful. The site is completely inappropriate, a mast would completely change the character of that spot.
“The cabinets that go with it would be obstructive. We are very disappointed but we are going to have a good fight.”
Copyright © Surrey & Berkshire Newspapers Limited
http://www.woking.co.uk/news/article/article_id=16653.html
VODAFONE is pressing ahead with its plans to build a mobile phone mast in Horsell Way despite massive opposition from residents.
The application by Vodafone was first made public in November, when residents were consulted on the idea of building a 10-metre construction on the junction of Horsell Way and Horsell Birch.
They condemned the plans as unsuitable and Woking MP Humfrey Malins wrote personally to Lord MacLaurin, chairman of Vodafone, to plead the case of around 100 families who had met him during a site visit.
Ward councillor Ann-Marie Barker said: “We suggested other suitable sites to Vodafone, including a site on Horsell Common that the Horsell Common Preservation Society said it would not oppose. But this was thought to be too far away. We also suggested the Littlewick roundabout but this was apparently in the green belt.
“The site is quite close to the Church of England and the Infant school isn’t far away either. The little place that they are proposing is called Buttercup Corner and it’s got rather nice green trees.
“Vodafone says the trees will mask the mast but they are deciduous so they won’t do all year round.
“It is a nice little spot where people go a lot but they would be confronted by this mast in a dense residential area. Cllr Richard Sanderson and I are working together on this to get a letter out to residents to let them know what Vodafone is doing and allow them time to get any objections in.
“I do think this is a highly inappropriate place for a mast.”
Caroline Brooker, a resident of Horsell Way, said: “We are really concerned to be honest because last year this application first emerged and we objected against it then.
“We have been messed around by Vodafone and it’s very stressful. The site is completely inappropriate, a mast would completely change the character of that spot.
“The cabinets that go with it would be obstructive. We are very disappointed but we are going to have a good fight.”
Copyright © Surrey & Berkshire Newspapers Limited
http://www.woking.co.uk/news/article/article_id=16653.html
rudkla - 10. Aug, 11:58
