PROTESTERS WIN FIGHT OVER MOBILE MAST
Bath Chronicle
11:00 - 25 May 2005
Mobile phone mast protesters are celebrating after persuading a mobile phone company to drop controversial plans to site a mast at a residential location in Trowbridge. Mobile phone giant O2 has bowed to pressure from College Estate Residents' Association to find an alternative site for the mast, which was set for the corner of College Road and Willow Grove.
Although planning permission had been granted for the project, residents kept up the pressure on O2 and a compromise has now been reached.The telecommunications company has agreed not to place the equipment on the street corner, which is next to a block of flats for the elderly.
Instead, it is submitting a planning application to have the mast installed on the roof of the Edington Building at nearby Wiltshire College. The change of heart has come after members of the residents' association and Cllr Sarah Content met company officials to express their concerns.
Residents complained the original proposed site was close to many homes and primary schools.
Association chairman Derek Adams said he was delighted at the outcome.
"I think everyone will be very pleased about this change of heart," he said.
"A lot of people found it very worrying to have a mast so close to home. I have to thank everyone who supported us, signed the petition and turned up at a public meeting to discuss this."
The association is poised to formally back O2's alternative proposals at its next meeting.
Cllr Jeff Osborn, who represents the Trowbridge College ward on West Wiltshire District Council, said: "It is really good to see that a suitable compromise seems to be close now. Everyone has behaved responsibly and they have listened to each other. I am delighted."
Cllr Content, who also represents Trowbridge College, said: "Telecommunication masts are becoming increasingly contentious due to confusion and uncertainty about possible health risks from the Government and independent research groups."
11:00 - 25 May 2005
Mobile phone mast protesters are celebrating after persuading a mobile phone company to drop controversial plans to site a mast at a residential location in Trowbridge. Mobile phone giant O2 has bowed to pressure from College Estate Residents' Association to find an alternative site for the mast, which was set for the corner of College Road and Willow Grove.
Although planning permission had been granted for the project, residents kept up the pressure on O2 and a compromise has now been reached.The telecommunications company has agreed not to place the equipment on the street corner, which is next to a block of flats for the elderly.
Instead, it is submitting a planning application to have the mast installed on the roof of the Edington Building at nearby Wiltshire College. The change of heart has come after members of the residents' association and Cllr Sarah Content met company officials to express their concerns.
Residents complained the original proposed site was close to many homes and primary schools.
Association chairman Derek Adams said he was delighted at the outcome.
"I think everyone will be very pleased about this change of heart," he said.
"A lot of people found it very worrying to have a mast so close to home. I have to thank everyone who supported us, signed the petition and turned up at a public meeting to discuss this."
The association is poised to formally back O2's alternative proposals at its next meeting.
Cllr Jeff Osborn, who represents the Trowbridge College ward on West Wiltshire District Council, said: "It is really good to see that a suitable compromise seems to be close now. Everyone has behaved responsibly and they have listened to each other. I am delighted."
Cllr Content, who also represents Trowbridge College, said: "Telecommunication masts are becoming increasingly contentious due to confusion and uncertainty about possible health risks from the Government and independent research groups."
Starmail - 25. Mai, 17:54
