Council consider alien phone mast
By Chris Wickham
An alien' phone mast might not be built after the council revealed they own the land and have not yet given permission for it to be erected.
Government planning inspectors ruled a T-Mobile mast with an 18.65metre tall tower and six antennae could be built at Strawberry Hill Golf Club despite opposition from residents and a rejection of the plan by Richmond upon Thames council.
But the council have said they own the freehold of the land and are still considering whether to give landowner consent to the proposal.
advertisement
The council, as planning authority, refused the T-Mobile application in May last year because its visual impact would be detrimental to the character and appearance of metropolitan open land.
Residents had been upset about the location of the mast, in the south eastern corner of the club next to the railway line between Fulwell and Strawberry Hill stations.
The proposed site is about 450 metres from St James's RC Primary School, on Stanley Road, and 320 metres from Stanley Infant School, on Strathmore Road, as well as Stanley Junior School, which is close by. But planning inspector Jonathan Philip Roberts said because the mast met guidelines for public exposure to radio waves, health issues were not a factor.
Mr Roberts overturned the council's decision to reject permission for the mast, despite admitting the size of the mast would damage openness, create an alien feature and be incongruous in an open, largely undeveloped and lands- caped setting.
But the mast might not now be built if Richmond council, as landowner, decides not to grant permission.
A council spokesperson said: "The council owns the freehold of the land, which is leased to Strawberry Hill Golf Club. We raised concerns about the proposals with the club at an early stage, having heard about them on an informal basis.
"We were also surprised to see a planning application being pursued without our landowning consent to the proposals being obtained first.
"The club, on behalf of T-Mobile, has now formally asked us to consider giving landowning consent, following the planning inspectorate's decision. We are giving the request detailed consideration and will be responding to the club shortly."
© Copyright 2001-2007 Newsquest Media Group
http://tinyurl.com/2pawcv
An alien' phone mast might not be built after the council revealed they own the land and have not yet given permission for it to be erected.
Government planning inspectors ruled a T-Mobile mast with an 18.65metre tall tower and six antennae could be built at Strawberry Hill Golf Club despite opposition from residents and a rejection of the plan by Richmond upon Thames council.
But the council have said they own the freehold of the land and are still considering whether to give landowner consent to the proposal.
advertisement
The council, as planning authority, refused the T-Mobile application in May last year because its visual impact would be detrimental to the character and appearance of metropolitan open land.
Residents had been upset about the location of the mast, in the south eastern corner of the club next to the railway line between Fulwell and Strawberry Hill stations.
The proposed site is about 450 metres from St James's RC Primary School, on Stanley Road, and 320 metres from Stanley Infant School, on Strathmore Road, as well as Stanley Junior School, which is close by. But planning inspector Jonathan Philip Roberts said because the mast met guidelines for public exposure to radio waves, health issues were not a factor.
Mr Roberts overturned the council's decision to reject permission for the mast, despite admitting the size of the mast would damage openness, create an alien feature and be incongruous in an open, largely undeveloped and lands- caped setting.
But the mast might not now be built if Richmond council, as landowner, decides not to grant permission.
A council spokesperson said: "The council owns the freehold of the land, which is leased to Strawberry Hill Golf Club. We raised concerns about the proposals with the club at an early stage, having heard about them on an informal basis.
"We were also surprised to see a planning application being pursued without our landowning consent to the proposals being obtained first.
"The club, on behalf of T-Mobile, has now formally asked us to consider giving landowning consent, following the planning inspectorate's decision. We are giving the request detailed consideration and will be responding to the club shortly."
© Copyright 2001-2007 Newsquest Media Group
http://tinyurl.com/2pawcv
rudkla - 1. Feb, 10:47
