Mast plan comes back to haunt residents
The Northern Scot
29.07.05
NEW Elgin householders are furious after learning that a controversial plan to site a mobile phone mast on their doorstep has been revived.
An application by communications firm O2 was thrown out by Moray Council in March after being met with mass opposition from local residents.
But the company has lodged an appeal against the decision with the Scottish Executive and is seeking to have the council's ruling overturned.
Home owners near the proposed site in Glen Moray Drive only learned that an appeal had been submitted by O2 on Tuesday.
A reporter from the Scottish Executive visited New Elgin yesterday (Thursday) to inspect the area where the 15 metre mast could be erected.
Angry residents, who fear the mast will endanger their health, turned out in force to meet Timothy Brian and representatives from O2.
Margaret Thorburn organised a petition which was submitted to the council at the time the application was determined in March.
She said she was amazed that the appeal had been lodged without the residents being informed by O2, the Executive or Moray Council.
"When the application was refused by the council, we thought that was the end of the matter. We were never told that O2 were going to appeal, " she said.
"What is the sense in even having a council if the Scottish Executive can come in and overturn a local decision? They would be as well bypassing the council altogether, " she said.
Only one couple, Albert and Ruby McWilliam, were made aware that the site inspection was to be carried out by the reporter.
They lodged an objection
29.07.05
NEW Elgin householders are furious after learning that a controversial plan to site a mobile phone mast on their doorstep has been revived.
An application by communications firm O2 was thrown out by Moray Council in March after being met with mass opposition from local residents.
But the company has lodged an appeal against the decision with the Scottish Executive and is seeking to have the council's ruling overturned.
Home owners near the proposed site in Glen Moray Drive only learned that an appeal had been submitted by O2 on Tuesday.
A reporter from the Scottish Executive visited New Elgin yesterday (Thursday) to inspect the area where the 15 metre mast could be erected.
Angry residents, who fear the mast will endanger their health, turned out in force to meet Timothy Brian and representatives from O2.
Margaret Thorburn organised a petition which was submitted to the council at the time the application was determined in March.
She said she was amazed that the appeal had been lodged without the residents being informed by O2, the Executive or Moray Council.
"When the application was refused by the council, we thought that was the end of the matter. We were never told that O2 were going to appeal, " she said.
"What is the sense in even having a council if the Scottish Executive can come in and overturn a local decision? They would be as well bypassing the council altogether, " she said.
Only one couple, Albert and Ruby McWilliam, were made aware that the site inspection was to be carried out by the reporter.
They lodged an objection
Starmail - 30. Jul, 17:54
