Call to halt mast plan
23 August 2007
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| The proposed telecommunications mast will replace one of the floodlight pylons at the sports centre |
A COUNCIL officer has recommended granting planning permission for a mobile phone mast to be erected close to two schools, despite a petition and objections from residents living nearby.
Mobile phone company O2 UK has applied to North Hertfordshire District Council (NHDC) for planning permission to erect a 15.6m high telecommunications column with a floodlight attachment on land at the sports centre in Whitethorn Lane in Letchworth GC.
The proposal is to remove an existing floodlight and replace it with the mast.
The application comes after O2 was refused planning permission to erect a mast at the junction of Howard Drive and the longabout at Letchworth Gate last year.
A subsequent appeal was dismissed earlier this year.
The site outlined in the current application lies 90m from the nearest dwelling, 380m from Lordship Farm School and some 360m from St Christopher School.
Thirty-two letters of objection have been received by NHDC, citing concerns including:
* The visual impact spoiling a local amenity.
* The proximity to residential dwellings and schools, and not applying a precautionary approach.
* The perceived health risk.
* The potential of the proposal being expanded and the mast shared with other antennae.
* The proposal being on land to which the public has access, and thus the proximity of the mast to people.
A petition containing 130 signatures was also sent to the council, and Letchworth Garden City Council has objected to the application on the grounds that "there is already a telecommunications mast in close proximity".
Rebecca Clarke, who lives n Whitethorn Lane, said: "Is there a need and are we adopting proper precautions when it comes to the siting of these masts?
"I have used a website which shows the location and operator of all masts in the UK and found that there are now 45 masts in the Letchworth and Baldock area. What is amazing about this is that a Letchworth campaigner identified a proliferation of masts in Letchworth in October 2006. He reported 25.
"Is it possible that the number of masts has nearly doubled in this space of time?
"I feel that as far as local democracy goes so many people are objecting and the council seems to be rejecting all of this. I think we are being sacrificed for the sake of industry."
She added: "The ethos of the garden city as a place where people live in the peace of the countryside while being close to the benefits of the town is being eroded."
In his report, NHDC council officer James Gran said: "In my view, the proposal would not result in a material adverse effect upon the visual amenity of the locality and I consider the siting and design to be acceptable.
"I therefore consider the proposed telecommunication column to be acceptable and consequently recommend planning permission be granted in this case."
His report will now go before the council's planning control committee this evening (Thursday) for a decision.
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