Anger at mast plan on housing estate
Aug 3 2005
By Paul Newham, Crewe Chronicle
ANGRY residents have set up their own protest group to fight plans for a 50ft phone mast in the middle of a housing estate in Crewe.
Orange PCS Ltd has applied for planning permission to put up the mast on land owned by Brookhouse Garage in Lewis Street.
But, with some homes just 40 metres away from the proposed site, residents have sent a clear message that they will not tolerate the eyesore.
Brian Roberts, 55, and his wife Sandra have launched the Lewis Street Action Group to protest against the plans.
Mr Roberts, a father-of-six who works as a construction manager, said: 'If you look at the application it is for a 50ft mast with three antennas and one microwave dish.
'We have to read between the lines and realise that, in an elevated spot like that, more and more equipment is bound to go on to that mast over time.
'You see these kinds of masts in farmers' fields and they seem to grow every time you drive past them.'
Mrs Roberts added residents are unhappy about the notification they received from the borough council.
She said: 'We live just 40 metres away from the mast but neighbours of ours just two or three doors down have received no letter.
'It is quite staggering considering we are talking about a six-storey high mast in the middle of tightly packed rows of terraced housing, that every resident has not received a letter.
'The swimming baths are approximately 200 metres from this mast. Do the children have to swim under an umbrella of microwaves?'
Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council's planning guidelines indicate all properties within 100 metres of such a development should be notified in writing.
Planning officer Alan Millington said: 'More than 85 letters were sent out to residents which covered all addresses within 100 metres.
'I have explained to residents that we are under pressure to process applications which is why we have formal consultation periods.
'But I have said I will receive letters right up to the date of the planning committee meeting.'
Formal consultation on the mast application ends on Friday, August 12, with the next meeting of the development control committee scheduled for Monday, August 22.
By Paul Newham, Crewe Chronicle
ANGRY residents have set up their own protest group to fight plans for a 50ft phone mast in the middle of a housing estate in Crewe.
Orange PCS Ltd has applied for planning permission to put up the mast on land owned by Brookhouse Garage in Lewis Street.
But, with some homes just 40 metres away from the proposed site, residents have sent a clear message that they will not tolerate the eyesore.
Brian Roberts, 55, and his wife Sandra have launched the Lewis Street Action Group to protest against the plans.
Mr Roberts, a father-of-six who works as a construction manager, said: 'If you look at the application it is for a 50ft mast with three antennas and one microwave dish.
'We have to read between the lines and realise that, in an elevated spot like that, more and more equipment is bound to go on to that mast over time.
'You see these kinds of masts in farmers' fields and they seem to grow every time you drive past them.'
Mrs Roberts added residents are unhappy about the notification they received from the borough council.
She said: 'We live just 40 metres away from the mast but neighbours of ours just two or three doors down have received no letter.
'It is quite staggering considering we are talking about a six-storey high mast in the middle of tightly packed rows of terraced housing, that every resident has not received a letter.
'The swimming baths are approximately 200 metres from this mast. Do the children have to swim under an umbrella of microwaves?'
Crewe and Nantwich Borough Council's planning guidelines indicate all properties within 100 metres of such a development should be notified in writing.
Planning officer Alan Millington said: 'More than 85 letters were sent out to residents which covered all addresses within 100 metres.
'I have explained to residents that we are under pressure to process applications which is why we have formal consultation periods.
'But I have said I will receive letters right up to the date of the planning committee meeting.'
Formal consultation on the mast application ends on Friday, August 12, with the next meeting of the development control committee scheduled for Monday, August 22.
Starmail - 3. Aug, 14:25
