Mast campaigners face new battle


21 December 2007 15:00

A mobile phone company has been accused of trying to get planning permission for a mast in the city through the back door at Christmas.

Families living in the Colman Road area of Norwich are yet again fighting off a proposal for a phone mast.

Mobile phone company 02 wants to put up a 50ft mast near Colman Hospital but campaigners have objected, claiming it would be “intrusive, ugly and enormous”.

People in the University, Eaton and Nelson Wards have successfully stopped eight previous bids for masts, including T-Mobile's application in August this year.

Their campaigns were backed by the Evening News' Put Masts On Hold Campaign, calling for a halt on new masts being put up near homes and schools until research proves the masts are safe.

Phil Taylor, team leader of the Eaton Ward Labour Campaign Team, said: “The mast and its associated equipment would be an ugly addition to the area, which is residential with the Colman Hospital, schools, and other community facilities nearby.

“Putting in a 50ft mast and ugly cupboard into this area on the pavement proposed would be a visual insult to the local community. The planned mast is ugly, does not fit in and should be rejected.”

02 had put in two applications for two masts, although one of these has been withdrawn.

Comments and objections for the bid must be received by January 9, leading to the suspicion that they are trying to get the application through while people are distracted by Christmas but this has been denied by the mobile phone company.

Bert Bremner, team leader of the University Ward Labour Campaign Team, said: “It's good news that one has been withdrawn but we've still got to fight off this one.

“It'll simply be an eyesore and they've got to come up with some other solution instead of masts.”

Angela Johnson, a spokeswoman for 02, said new research has indicated that there were no health implications related to mobile phone masts and said the proposed mast would not be an eyesore.

She said: “We try to make them the same as existing street furniture to make them fit in, such as painting them the same colour as the lamp posts.”

To comment on the plans, write to Planning Services, Norwich City Council, City Hall, Norwich, NR2 1NH, email devcontrol@norwich.gov.uk or fax 01603 212159 by January 9.

Are you battling a mobile phone mast application? Contact Evening News reporter Kate Scotter on 01603 772326 or email kate.scotter@archant.co.uk

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