RESIDENTS' FURY OVER MAST PLANS
Derbyshire Evening Telegraph
BY KAREN HOLT
09:30 - 26 August 2005
Residents say that they are furious about plans to put up a second mobile phone mast close to their homes.
Alvaston residents are fighting plans by mobile phone company O2 to install a 15-metre-high mast and two equipment cabins at the junction of Holbrook Road and Boscastle Road.
The application, which has been submitted to Derby City Council, comes days after T-Mobile put up a 12.2-metre mast and three cabins just metres away, in Holbrook Road at its junction with Holt Avenue.
Nicole Berrisford (43), of Holt Avenue, fears that the masts will pose a health risk, as well as being visually intrusive, which will eventually lead to a devaluation of properties in the area.
Along with her neighbours, she also thinks that the area is becoming far too cluttered with too much street furniture.
She said: "I'm going to do a flyer informing people about O2. I'm trying to call a meeting, organise a petition and, if necessary, a rally.
"I think it's getting beyond a joke now.
"Our main concern is that it's directly on a route to Oakwood Infant and Junior schools and Noel-Baker Community School.
"There could be health risks and it will devalue the houses. No-one wants to buy a house near a phone mast and there'll be two here."
Frank Berridge (53), of Holbrook Road, says that the area is already blighted by graffiti and feels that the new addition will only worsen the problem.
He said: "These masts are near old people's homes and on a main school route.
"For old people, if they can't see very well, they're also going to be more obstacles for them."
Pamela Robinson (60), also of Holbrook Road, said: "It's getting really cluttered. Everything's here and it's just awful.
"They'll get daubed by graffiti and it'll make the street look ugly. There's just too much clutter."
A council spokeswoman said that the application did not require planning permission but the company was required to inform the council, which then has 56 days to agree to its siting and design.
BY KAREN HOLT
09:30 - 26 August 2005
Residents say that they are furious about plans to put up a second mobile phone mast close to their homes.
Alvaston residents are fighting plans by mobile phone company O2 to install a 15-metre-high mast and two equipment cabins at the junction of Holbrook Road and Boscastle Road.
The application, which has been submitted to Derby City Council, comes days after T-Mobile put up a 12.2-metre mast and three cabins just metres away, in Holbrook Road at its junction with Holt Avenue.
Nicole Berrisford (43), of Holt Avenue, fears that the masts will pose a health risk, as well as being visually intrusive, which will eventually lead to a devaluation of properties in the area.
Along with her neighbours, she also thinks that the area is becoming far too cluttered with too much street furniture.
She said: "I'm going to do a flyer informing people about O2. I'm trying to call a meeting, organise a petition and, if necessary, a rally.
"I think it's getting beyond a joke now.
"Our main concern is that it's directly on a route to Oakwood Infant and Junior schools and Noel-Baker Community School.
"There could be health risks and it will devalue the houses. No-one wants to buy a house near a phone mast and there'll be two here."
Frank Berridge (53), of Holbrook Road, says that the area is already blighted by graffiti and feels that the new addition will only worsen the problem.
He said: "These masts are near old people's homes and on a main school route.
"For old people, if they can't see very well, they're also going to be more obstacles for them."
Pamela Robinson (60), also of Holbrook Road, said: "It's getting really cluttered. Everything's here and it's just awful.
"They'll get daubed by graffiti and it'll make the street look ugly. There's just too much clutter."
A council spokeswoman said that the application did not require planning permission but the company was required to inform the council, which then has 56 days to agree to its siting and design.
Starmail - 26. Aug, 22:47
