CAMPAIGNERS against the siting of a mobile phone mast at a roundabout in Haverhill have lost their fight.

Hutchison 3G (UK) Ltd rejected their proposed alternative site at Homefield Road.

Residents appealed to the company's chief executive, to consider the alternative location.

However, following a site visit last week and computer technical assessment of the predicted coverage, the outcome of the review, according to 3G, demonstrated the identified site to be unsuitable to provide the level of coverage required.

No sooner had residents had time to digest the bad news and plan their response than a JCB was digging foundations for the mast at the Hazel Stub roundabout.

Public feeling against the location of the mast has been strong with residents, local councillors and MPs protesting strongly since March of this year.

St Edmundsbury Council's Planning Committee objected to Hutchison 3G (UK) Ltd's application deeming the site to be 'inappropriate' due its close proximity to a busy roundabout and listed buildings, and that it would be visually intrusive and detract from the amenity of the countryside.

However the mobile phone giant won an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate to allow the mast to be erected on its proposed site.

03 December 2005

http://www.cambridge-news.co.uk/news/newmarket/2005/12/03/e05eed6f-17c8-4de2-8d3c-12a531304e16.lpf