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Set-back for mobile phone mast plans (From Darlington and Stockton Times)
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Set-back for mobile phone mast plans
1:57pm Wednesday 15th October 2008
CONTROVERSIAL plans to install an 18-metre mobile phone mast have suffered another set-back, after local councillors agreed to support residents’ objections.
Telecommunications company Vodafone may also now need full planning permission for the mast, which it wants to build on farmland, close to houses, in Sandy Bank, Northallerton.
The site of the proposed mast is close to the ward boundaries of Romanby parish and Northallerton town councils.
At a meeting of the parish council last night, members voted to write to Hambleton District Council, the local planning authority, expressing support for objectors.
It is claimed that more than 100 homes would be within view of the mast, which would be 15 metres tall, with a three metre antenna stalk on top of that.
Parish councillor Bob Beavers spoke on behalf of Councillor Tony Mawer, who was unable to attend the meeting.
He said: "Tony has asked if we could send a letter from the parish council, in support of the objectors.
"This is on health concern grounds, it is nothing to do with unsightliness or property values."
Objector Gavin Leach, who has accused Vodafone of a "lack of communication" over the plans, said growing opposition may force the company to obtain formal planning permission.
The height of the planned mast fell short of needing the go-ahead from district councillors.
However, because there is sufficient opposition, a full planning application may now need to be submitted.
Mr Leach, of Regency Court, close to where the mast would be installed, said: "We are delighted that our local councillors are supporting us.
"We are hopeful that some progress is being made."
Vodafone say the site for the mast was chosen after 15 other sites were considered.
Mr Leach said: "I would like to know about the other locations.
"Vodafone also said that the proposed site provides a backdrop of trees, and would not be visually intrusive.
"That is rubbish.
"It does not matter where you stand, it would still be seen."
A Vodafone spokesman said: "The radio base station is required to improve coverage to customers.
"An application for prior approval for the siting and design of the station was made on September 24.
"We are awaiting the decision of the council whether to grant or refuse the prior application, which must be made within 56 days of submission."
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IN OPPOSITION: Gavin Leach and David Auld, close to where the mast would be built
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richard brosch, northallerton says...
9:07pm Thu 16 Oct 08
Re: Proposed Vodaphone Telecommunications Mast, Sandy Bank, Northallerton.
Following the publication of the article on the 15 October 2008, we would like to express our views on this matter.
Being one of the residents in closest proximity to the installation, with a distance of 15 metres from the mast to our boundary, we view the proposed development with extreme trepidation. The area of Sandy Bank is entirely residential, with the scale of development reducing in height (bungalows) towards the apex of the hill. The area is profoundly visible from other parts of Northallerton. Vodaphone desires to place a mast, with a height approximately 2 ½ times that of any other street furniture at the top of Sandy Bank. By virtue of the elevation and the consequent ascending sightlines from the adjacent populated areas this will form a very prominent and alien feature with no merit in terms of its ability to integrate into the prevailing urban landscape. This cannot be mitigated by the location of the single adjacent tree, which is located to the east of the proposed mast position, set back from the principal line of view.
The Stewart Report sponsored by the National Radiological Protection Board states that ‘Gaps in knowledge justify a precautionary approach to the use of mobile phone technologies until much more detailed and scientifically robust information on health effects becomes available’. These sentiments do not seem to accord with the current proposal to place transmission equipment in absolute proximity to permanently occupied dwellings, without any regard to any potential consequential risks.
We wholeheartedly would urge all residents to write as a matter of urgency to the Hambleton District Planning Department to express their opposition to this blight on the Northallerton landscape.
Yours sincerely
Mr & Mrs R Brosch
15 Regency Court, Northallerton