Vodafone and O2 have WITHDRAWN their application to erect a 10m-high mobile phone mast in Stone’s town conservation area in Christchurch Way.
The mobile phone giants had applied to Stafford Borough Council last month for planning permission. But after criticism and opposition locally, the planning application has been withdrawn.
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The borough council’s senior conservation officer, the manager of First Steps Day Nursery, members of Stone Town Council and lots of local people had all opposed the application.
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5 comments
William Hook
I’d have to side with Nicholas here – what little health problems (if any) that they do cause is nothing compared to everything else around – your family car’s emissions, for example, are probably far more dangerous. Hell, you have a greater chance of dying from crossing the road and being hit by another car.
Not to mention that in this day and age 2G, 3G and even 4G (in a year or two) signals are pretty much a necessity, and not having good coverage in a town or city centre is absurd. What if someone needs the emergency services but is unable to get a signal or have access to a landline? If anything, erecting more towers SAVES lives.
Nicholas Carter
Going to be the opposite to Richard here and say there is absolutely no reason why it shouldn’t of had the green light. It has been proven time and time again that the “radiation” cell towers give off is not dangerous at all or there would be regulations in place to keep them well away from anyone. People in Cornwall and the likes receive more background radiation and contamination than a cell tower gives off.
The only other possible reason against it could be “They look bad” Not really. The one proposed was 10 metres tall, enough to cover the highstreet and majority of Stone housing estates I imagine. Not that tall really.
In the 1920’s (Hope I have my date right) people opposed the National Power Grid and power pylon’s because “they looked ugly” 90 years on where are we? No one cares about pylons as they are part of the landscape now and technology as well as the way of life is a lot better off because of it.
Anyway. Rant over. I hope they file another application soon. Fed up of not having strong 3G signal anywhere south or including the highstreet.
Richard Stevens
Nicholas, my objection was not based on health issues. Whilst I accept government or industry assurances with a large dose of cynicism, I am willing tpo accept that, on present knowledge, the amount of radiation emitted has not been proved harmful to short or long term health.
I rely heavily on my mobile phone and therefore have to accept that masts are necessary. However, that does not assume that phone companies can stick their masts wherever they like. They seem to opt first for land that is owned by highway authorities. Hence the proposed site in Christchurch Way. A very tall thick pole with a large box at it’s base bang at the side of the pavement where every one entering the one way system could see it..
As I said in my original response above – this was the easiest site and the companies must now come back with a more acceptable alternative.
Richard Stevens
Fantastic news! People power at work. But they’ll be back – so we all need to be ready for the next application. These things generally follow a pattern. The first application is for the easiest site (like this one) in the hope they can get it through. Now they know they’ve got a battle on their hands they’ll go back to the drawing board and hopefully come up with an acceptable alternative.
Jamie Summerfield
Good point Richard. We’ll see what happens next…