Phone mast plan for theatre


12 April 2007 11:49

A mobile phone mast could be set up overshadowing one of the city's most prestigious landmarks.

Telecoms giant T-Mobile is hoping it will be allowed to set up the 5.7m mast and equipment by the Theatre Royal, on the roof of neighbouring Dencora Apartments.

The theatre is currently undergoing a £10m refurbishment and should open its doors again by October, in time for its 250th anniversary.

It will incorporate the existing building and part of the ground and first floor of neighbouring Dencora House, where the mast - and homes - would be sited.

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

A statement by T-Mobile to planning officers at Norwich City Council said the mast would be from the west by mature trees in Chapelfield Gardens and were therefore “firmly of the view that the proposal has no material impact upon the character and appearance of the area, nor the amenity of any nearby surrounding residential areas”.

The company said it need the mast to help fulfil a legal obligation to accommodate customer requirements of service and quality and build a 3G network covering 80pc of the population by 2007.

The company had also looked at alternative sites in the area although this was thought to be the best available. Mast sharing was also considered, but “there were no other buildings or structures within the search area that presented themselves as available”.

Peter Wilson, chief executive of the Theatre Royal, said: “This was a decision taken by the residents living in the flats at Dencora House. We were not involved. There are mobile phone masts all over the place these days. We are not going to object. I think the health risks have not been proved because if they had these masts would be illegal. The biggest health risk is holding a mobile up to your ear.”

The theatre, which last year launched its 250 Appeal to raise the remaining cash for the £10m modernisation project, bought and sold neighbouring Dencora House making money in the process as well as providing new audience facilities.

The theatre will rent back café hospitality and office space in Dencora House from the new owner Tudor Property Agents and a two-storey link between the two buildings will be built to house a new box office. The rest of Dencora House has been bought by city centre solicitors Hatch Brenner who were planning to expand.

The new look theatre will incorporate the existing building and the ground and first floor of Dencora House.

It will have a new facade with outdoor balconies and there will be a state of the art acoustic enhancement system in the auditorium for large scale musical performances.

One of the theatre's three bars will replace the theatre's current box office which will move to the building that will join the existing theatre and Dencora House.