World-News

By Jonathan Bunn

LET DOWN: Residents by the phone mast which is at the centre of a row between O2 and the council. (EL630-79)

RESIDENTS are caught in the middle of a row between the council and communications giant O2 over a phone mast that was erected without planning permission.

O2 says it was entitled to put up the 15 metre mast and it will remain in Markhouse Road, Walthamstow, because it was not informed of the council's decision to refuse the application within the required 56 days.

The Guardian understands O2 received notification of the decision 24 hours late, but the council denies there was any delay and says negotiations are ongoing.

The Department for Communities and Local Government confirmed O2 is within its rights.

Residents believed they had been successful in their campaign to fight the proposal, with a petition signed by 185 people.

Officers turned the mast down under delegated powers in July last year, but just before Christmas residents were shocked to discover that it had appeared.

Tony Alveranga, 42, of nearby Samantha Close, said: "Last Friday January 12 there were some guys working on the the mast and I asked them what they thought of it. They said it was a strange place to put it - halfway across the pavement.

"Local planning officers are there to protect the interests of residents. We feel let down. We expect proper procedure to be followed.

"I would point the finger at the planning office, but assuming O2 received the letter a day late, it has been inconsiderate at least."

An O2 spokesman: "The council has 56 days to come to us with a reply and if they don't, we take that as permission being granted.

"There is no possibility that we will take the mast down. It does not obstruct the pavement."

© Copyright 2001-2007 Newsquest Media Group

http://www.guardian-series.co.uk/mostpopular.var.1131747.mostviewed.phone_mast_row_spirals.php

By Janaki Mahadevan

Phone giant T-Mobile has failed to win permission to build a phone mast on Green Belt land in Shenley after a Government inspector dismissed its appeal last Friday.

The company, which challenged Hertsmere Borough Council's decision to refuse it planning permission, has had a temporary mast at London Colney Cricket Club in Green Street for nearly four years. That could now be removed next month after council enforcement action, leaving the company with no network coverage in the area.

T-Mobile had applied to build a permanent mast on the grounds of the cricket club but councillors refused permission in July last year, prompting the appeal.

In his report dismissing the appeal, the Government inspector said: "Because of their size, the mast and the associated cabinets and other equipment would reduce the openness of the Green Belt, and would cause some limited harm.

"In order for very special circumstances to exist sufficient to outweigh harm to the Green Belt, and other harm to the character and appearance of the area, a vigorous assessment of alternative locations is required."

The temporary mast was built after one erected on the Shenley Water Tower, in Porters Park estate, had to be removed when renovation work started on the building at the beginning of 2003.

The council issued an enforcement notice for T-Mobile to take down the temporary mast next month. If it is not removed, the council could take the company to court.

John Marks, clerk of Shenley Parish Council, said: "We are disappointed that the whole process has gone on for so long. But that is how the system works and we are bound by that.

"The mobile operator obviously wanted to keep the mast up so tried all it could to do so and you can't hold that against it.

"I do laugh every time it is called a temporary mast because it has been here for so long, but I am glad it is finally being taken down."

A spokesman for T-Mobile said: "We are considering the judgement of the inspector and his reasons for the dismissal of the appeal. We are also looking at other options in the area because we still have to provide a service there."

© Copyright 2001-2007 Newsquest Media Group

http://www.thisishertfordshire.co.uk/news/borehamwood/display.var.1133298.0.phone_giants_mast_appeal_turned_down.php

Jan 18 2007

By John Hill

AN UNWANTED Christmas present has sent tongues wagging around Limehouse.

Residents clearing out their yuletide trees and tinsel were shocked to discover telecommunications company T Mobile had already set the wheels in motion for a 10-metre slimline black phone mast to be constructed off Branch Road.

An application for the monopole, which would include shrouded antennas and an equipment cabinet, was lodged on December 11 to improve the "poor quality" reception in the area. The pole will also be designed to cater for the next-generation 3G network, which will allow users to browse the internet, listen to music and watch video on their mobiles.

But the message was not passed on to Limehouse homeowners until they were tipped off by an email from a fellow resident - Limehouse West Management Team chairman David Ronaldson.

Among the objectors is Victory Place Residents Association chairman Donald Davies, who has submitted a petition signed by more than two-thirds of the 143 apartment owners. He said: "People are keen to object to this. It would be on a footpath, and people sit around there just to enjoy life.

"I suppose masts have to be put up somewhere, but it's a funny place. T-Mobile users don't seem to have a problem around here. And we're concerned they seem to be trying to slip this through. We found out just after Christmas from another resident, but nobody's seen any notices relating to the application anywhere around Limehouse."

The petitioners claim the company has presented no evidence for its claims of poor reception, and have complained about the "insufficiency of notice and consultation".

They also say health concerns will cause "fear and stress" to residents, and argue the mast will be an eyesore in the attractive area.

Mr Davies is aware of several other petitioners against the mast, which would be set up on British Waterways land in Limehouse Basin.

T-Mobile claims the location was decided after an "exhaustive site search", and that "no other site share opportunities were available".

It said: "The proposed installation will be of a sympathetic nature due to its minor scale and bulk and painted to blend with existing structures in the surrounding."

© owned by or licensed to Trinity Mirror Southern Limited 2007

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By Staff Reporter

A PLAN to install a mobile phone mast has met with opposition from councillors.

Mobile phone company O2 wants to erect a 12.5 metre pole and antenna in Wearish Lane, Westhoughton.

But the plans, earmarked for the Victoria Road Motor Company site, have been refused by Westhoughton town council.

Councillors fear the mast would look out of place, as it would be visible from nearby beauty spot The Clough.

Council leader Cllr Jim Gilfillan said: "The town council, along with Bolton Council's environmental services, are putting a lot of money into redeveloping the nearby nature spot. The pole would be very prominent from the top of the road. I would recommend that O2 resubmit the plans to erect the pole on an industrial estate."

The matter will now go before Bolton Council's planning committee.
http://www.bolton.gov.uk/portal/page?_pageid=147,1&_dad=portal92&_schema=PORTAL92

10:11am Tuesday 16th Jan

© Copyright 2001-2007 Newsquest Media Group

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17 January 2007

The mast at Downfield bus terminus.

Residents of Downfield in Dundee have expressed their anger at Government legislation that has allowed a mobile phone company to erect a telecoms mast without planning permission.

Contractors working on behalf of T-Mobile have put up a temporary mast near the junction of St Mary’s Street and Cox Street using emergency legislation from Scottish planning laws.

The structure is twice the size of other masts in the area and stands in plain sight of surrounding neighbourhoods.

Lee McMurchie, of St Mary’s Road, said he would be asking local residents to petition T-Mobile for its removal.

He said, “They have erected this huge mast right outside my door. I think residents should have been consulted before such a monstrosity was put up.

“The council has told us the company is allowed to put the mast up for a six-month temporary period without planning permission or consultation with residents. It’s a disgrace.

“There are two other 30-ft masts nearby, but they are partly obscured by trees so they don’t bother anyone.”

Dundee City Council said it was powerless to intervene in the matter for six months as the company had acted within the law.

A spokesman said, “Under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Scotland) Order, T-Mobile has the power to summarily erect the structure in an emergency.”

Martin Cheyne, acquisitions director of T-Mobile contractor Wilkinson Helsby Projects, confirmed the mast has been put there on a temporary basis to replace one removed from a building at Baberton Court, which is undergoing redevelopment.

T-Mobile is obliged by the terms of its licence to provide coverage at all times, and the company claims the temporary mast is necessary to conform to that licence.

Mr Cheyne said his understanding of the emergency powers afforded to T-Mobile would not permit the company to erect a shifting network of temporary masts to plug holes in the mobile coverage, thereby allaying fears that, after six months, the telecoms company could simply shift the mast to another location.

WHP was not in a position to comment on whether it would respond to residents’ objections and remove the mast once Mr McMurchie’s petition has been lodged, saying any decision would have to come from T-Mobile.

A liaison officer at the firm has been informed about the situation and said he would comment in due course, although no response had been received at the time of going to press.

© All copyright D C Thomson & Co Ltd., 2007

http://www.eveningtelegraph.co.uk/output/2007/01/17/story9186076t0.shtm

PETER WALSH

17 January 2007 14:11

Families in a block of flats in the north of the city have begun a campaign against a mobile phone mast being installed near where they live.

People living in Catton View Court, off Woodcock Road, were shocked to receive letters from T-Mobile informing them of plans to install a 12.85m mast and substation near their homes.

The Evening News has opposed the installation of mobile phone masts near homes and schools, until it is proved they are safe, through our Put Masts on Hold campaign.

Brian Minister, 52, who has lived in the flats since 1998, said: "This letter was a shock when it arrived last week. Most people weren't aware of what they wanted to do. It's quite tall and with the health issues we're quite concerned on that side.

"People are suffering from cancer and other conditions and I think there's a lot in it."

Mr Minister, a well-known face around many of Norwich's pubs as a volunteer charity collector for Cancer Research, said he has started to produce some leaflets which he will post through other residents' doors to highlight the proposals by the mobile phone operator.

"We've started a petition and are putting leaflets through people's doors," he said. "We're trying to get some support because people might not know what to do about it."

David Lowe, 53, who has lived at Catton View Court for the past four years, is also opposed to the planned mast. "It's outrageous," he said. "We've had no information about it and have just been told its going to happen. We don't want it and hopefully will be able to prevent this happening - we're all absolutely seething about it."

Mr Lowe, who is out of work but used to work for Archant in the public notices department, said he has raised concerns about the mast in a letter to Norwich North MP Dr Ian Gibson.

He said: "It's a health hazard and anyone living in the area for up to a mile will be affected by it. We don't need that being forced upon us."

No one from T-Mobile was available for comment.

Are you fighting a mobile phone mast where you live? Call Evening News reporter Peter Walsh on 01603 772439 or e-mail peter.walsh@archant.co.uk

Copyright © 2007 Archant Regional. All rights reserved.

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By Rob Devey

RESIDENTS who are opposing plans for a phone mast on a busy Harwood footpath told a planning inspector it would be a blot on the landscape and a health-and-safety hazard.

T-Mobile appealed after Bolton Council's planning and highways committee ignored the advice of officers and refused permission for the 3G mast in Lea Gate near the Morrisons supermarket.

Councillors said that as the 11.7-metre mast would narrow the footpath, pedestrians, including mothers with pushchairs and people in wheelchairs, might be forced to use the road.

Yesterday, at the appeal hearing in Bolton Town Hall, planning inspector Elizabeth Hill listened to arguments from the company, the council and residents.

Ian Calderbank, Bolton's principle engineer, said the width of the footpath would be reduced to 1.8 metres - below the legal two-metre minimum.

But T-Mobile agent Susan McMorrow said that when the path was busy she believed pedestrians would wait for people coming the other way to pass rather then attempt to walk round them in the road.

Residents Gillian Platt and Veronica Goodman said the footpath was the main route to the supermarkert, library and health centre.

They also raised concerns that the mast would spoil the character of the area, with the 16th-century Lea Gate Farm and two cottages nearby being listed buildings.

Mrs Platt said residents feared the mast could pose a health risk and said its position near the supermarket's petrol station could also be dangerous.

That suggestion was denied by T-Mobile's regional property surveyor Simon Mitchell, who added that the company would be willing to pay for the footpath to be widened to two metres.

After the hearing, Mrs Platt, of Tottington Road, said: "I hope the inspector has listened to residents, many of whom have lived here all their lives and know the area better than anybody.

"The footpath is not wide enough as it is, and even if they extended it that would not be enough to persuade us."

Mrs Platt, aged 63, added: "You're not supposed to use mobile phones at petrol stations but here they want to site a phone mast near one, it's ludicrous.

"We're worried there could be an explosion."

A site visit followed the hearing and a decision is due within seven weeks.

© Copyright 2001-2007 Newsquest Media Group

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