Mobile phone mast victory


18 October 2007 08:58

Families fighting plans for a mobile phone mast in a busy residential area are celebrating today after the phone company has set its sights on a new location in open countryside.

Communications giant T-Mobile wanted to put an 11.7m mast on land opposite the Crown pub in Norwich Road, Costessey, but families living close to the site were in uproar and plans were turned down by South Norfolk Council earlier this year.

As the Evening News reported earlier this year T-Mobile had appealed against the decision - much to the anger of people living in the area - but has now put in new plans for a mast off Taverham Lane in Costessey, in woodland and some distance from the nearest property.

Costessey Parish Council, which opposed the initial plans and appeal, has written to T-Mobile and said it may support this application if the Norwich Road one was withdrawn.

South Norfolk and Costessey councillor Tim East said: “We are implacably opposed to the one in the middle of a residential area, very close to Beaumont Road infant school.

“But we have received another application in open countryside and we are minded to offer no objections to this one, providing that T-Mobile withdraws its appeal against the planning application that was refused.”

T-Mobile was unavailable for comment yesterday, but the proposal was welcomed by Pauline Wilkinson, who has lived on Norwich Road, Costessey with her husband John for more than 30 years.

She said: “It would be good news for Norwich Road and I would be delighted if the plans for the phone mast were withdrawn. But I could not comment on the new application.”

Earlier this year more than 80 people wrote to South Norfolk Council to object to plans for the mast on land in Norwich Road. Families living close to the proposed mast were concerned about the visual impact such a large structure would have in the area while there were also fears about the possible heath effects on those living closest to the mast and on pupils at nearby Costessey Infant School.

The news comes in the same month that it emerged that four pupils from a school in Buckinghamshire, which is surrounded by 15 mobile phone masts, had been struck down by brain cancer. Parents at St Joseph's Roman Catholic primary in Chalfont St Peter fear it could be Britain's first example of a link between multiple cancer victims - a cluster - and mobile masts. The local director of public health is investigating.

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

Are you fighting to stop a phone mast in your area? Call Evening News reporter David Bale on 01603 772427 or email david.bale2@archant.co.uk

Email A Friend

News: Latest headlines on Evening News 24