New mast battle brews
Harborough Today (Leic)
A SECOND phone company has applied to put up a 15-metre high mast near an historic Kibworth landmark.
Villagers campaigned in March against an application from Orange for an 18-metre mast 250 metres away from 17th century Grade II listed Kibworth Windmill at Windmill Field, Langton Road, Kibworth Harcourt. Now, Hutchison 3G has submitted an application to Harborough District Council for a 15-metre mast 90 metres away from the village landmark. Protester Beverley Burdett, of Marsh Drive, Kibworth, said: "We will definitely round up the troops for another protest. We will not let them try and get permission without a fight. "If they can put a man on the moon why can't they find a better place to put these phone masts?" The wooden tower proposed has three antennae and three transmission dishes connected to it. Hutchison 3G says the mast is needed to provide mobile phone coverage for its customers. It is believed the windmill was built in the early 1600s although its main post has a carving dated 1711. In the application Hutchison 3G said: "We have carefully designed a solution to blend in with the farm setting and maximise the use of natural screening." It says the mast will not affect the view of the windmill as it will be screened by conifer trees. The Orange application was thrown out by councillors in May because they felt the siting and appearance would adversely affect the character and appearance of the rural landscape.
24 August 2005
A SECOND phone company has applied to put up a 15-metre high mast near an historic Kibworth landmark.
Villagers campaigned in March against an application from Orange for an 18-metre mast 250 metres away from 17th century Grade II listed Kibworth Windmill at Windmill Field, Langton Road, Kibworth Harcourt. Now, Hutchison 3G has submitted an application to Harborough District Council for a 15-metre mast 90 metres away from the village landmark. Protester Beverley Burdett, of Marsh Drive, Kibworth, said: "We will definitely round up the troops for another protest. We will not let them try and get permission without a fight. "If they can put a man on the moon why can't they find a better place to put these phone masts?" The wooden tower proposed has three antennae and three transmission dishes connected to it. Hutchison 3G says the mast is needed to provide mobile phone coverage for its customers. It is believed the windmill was built in the early 1600s although its main post has a carving dated 1711. In the application Hutchison 3G said: "We have carefully designed a solution to blend in with the farm setting and maximise the use of natural screening." It says the mast will not affect the view of the windmill as it will be screened by conifer trees. The Orange application was thrown out by councillors in May because they felt the siting and appearance would adversely affect the character and appearance of the rural landscape.
24 August 2005
Starmail - 24. Aug, 10:57
