Bid for seven mobile masts 'to plug gaps'
MOBILE phone giant Vodafone is bidding to install seven new mobile phone masts around Torbay.
The applications, which will be considered by Torbay Council planners on Monday, are to plug gaps in 3G coverage.
The locations are Herbert Road, Hawkins Avenue, St Vincent's Road, Perinville Road, Grafton Road and Warberry Road in Torquay and, in Paignton, at Lammas Lane.
The plan to install a 10-metre-high mock telegraph pole on an area of land sandwiched between Herbert Road, Vicarage Hill and St Matthews Road is the most controversial, sparking 116 objections.
The site consists of an open green space which contains a number of trees and a bench, and sits within the Chelston Conservation Area.
The plans also include a 12-metre-high brown, painted shroud and a 1.2-metre-high equipment cabinet painted green.
Residents have objected on the grounds the mast would have a detrimental impact on the tranquility and character of the green and the recreation area which is used by locals and visitors.
Planning officers have recommended the plans are refused.
A report to the development control committee says the proposed monopole and equipment cabinet would be 'alien features in this area of green space'.
The report said: "A mock telegraph pole structure has been selected in an attempt to lessen the visual impact. However, in its isolated 'island' location, nowhere near any genuine telegraph poles, it is considered to appear out of context and incongruous.
"As such the proposed pole and cabinets are considered to be detrimental to the character and appearance of the conservation area."
Plans to install a 12-metre-high slimline monopole next to a bus stop at Hawkins Avenue have attracted 14 objections.
Among the objectors is part-time volunteer youth worker Dave Wilkinson, who fears the wildlife in the area will be disturbed. He said: "I walk my dog regularly in these woods and there are bats, owls, foxes and badgers there.
"If they start building work putting up this mast it is going to disturb the wildlife.
"About four years ago they built houses next to the allotments at Sherwell Valley and the bats and the owls left because of the noise and they have only come back in the last two years. If they leave again they are not going to come back because of the regular disturbances."
Other residents believe the mast would be an eyesore and is too close to residential properties and schools.
However, planners have recommended the application be approved following a site visit.
The report says: "The information submitted with the application shows it is required to cover holes in coverage around the Grenville Avenue area and to boost existing coverage at the area around Torbay Boys' Grammar School.
"The proposal is considered to be acceptable in terms of siting and appearance from a public point of view. However, the proposal is relatively close to residential dwellings and as such it is recommended members visit the site in order to assess this relationship."
Officers also recommend councillors visit the proposed siting of a 10-metre-high monopole at the junction of Hillesdon Road and Grafton Road before coming to a decision about the application.
"The main issue here is the prominence of the proposal and its impact on the general visual amenities of the area," the report states.
"As such, it is recommended members visit the site to assess this issue."
Officers have recommended the remaining applications are approved.
All plans are due to be discussed at the development control committee meeting at Oldway Mansion at 2.30pm on Monday.
4 Comments
by Sandra, Torquay
Friday, November 14 2008, 5:57PM
“This mast is not needed and not wanted in this area. As a resident who lives adjacent to the Grammar School and Grenville Avenue I never had any problems with connection when I had a Vodafone mobile. The position of this 40 feet high mast is right on the boundary of the Marcombe Woods which are classified as an Urban Landscape Protection Area. There have just been plans passed for a housing development in the immediate area which involves felling trees. When is there going to be an end to disturbing the valued wildlife that we love to have around us in this part of Chelston. We don't want it!”
by Mary, Totnes
Friday, November 14 2008, 4:09PM
“If Torbay doesn't want them, I would love to see them here at Totnes. They make a delightful addition to the skyline.”
by Allan, Torquay
Friday, November 14 2008, 2:04PM
“The UK has among the most lax mast safety standards in the world. A lot of other countries, even Russia and China, are thousands of times more safe. The EU parliament recently voted our mast standards obsolete since they only take heating into account and ignore the many scientific studies linking masts with biological effects and increased incidence of cancer. Some masts in the UK, Israel, Taiwan near cancer clusters are now being removed. The highest intensity from the Hawkins Avenue mast will be straight into the Torquay Boys' Grammar School (330degress, 150metres). Sherwell Valley Primary School with 632 pupils plus 50 in the nursery is very close nearby. Hundreds of parents and kids walk past the proposed site every day. Government guidance says not to put masts near schools.
Disturbing bats is illegal. The mast will be a major eyesore at this urban landscape protection area.
Objectors should turn up to the meeting at Oldway mansion at 2.30pm on Monday 17th.
The holes in coverage are larger on the Hawkins Avenue planning application than on Vodafone's sales website.”
by mike, torbay
Friday, November 14 2008, 11:16AM
“mobile phone shops are taking over the country. THey are everywhere and just getting beyond the joke. Being surrounded my radio waves cant be good for us. Everything has its limit. I am almost certain that when recieving incoming call they have given me a minor shock before and made my muscle spasm very slightly. YOu should never carry any radio device close to you're organs especially you're heart. I have noticed how cops carry phones directly over their heart area. This against the manufactures guidelines”