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13 August 2007 Controversial plans for a mobile phone mast in a south Norfolk village have been turned down.
T-Mobile's
plans to install the mast at Hill Farm, Ipswich Road, Tasburgh, had
been tipped for approval despite local opposition.
It is the second time the plans have been rejected by South Norfolk Council.
The
company's original application for a 15m high mast on agricultural land
at Fairstead Lane, Upper Tasburgh, was rejected by the council's east
area planning committee in March this year.
The company then
submitted proposals for a mast that had been reduced in scale to
resemble a telegraph pole at Hill Farm. The company said the pole would
be 12m high to the top of the antennae.
The council received 22 objections from opponents claiming the mast would still be an eyesore and a possible danger to health.
However,
planning officers recommended approval, saying there was no alternative
site in the vicinity that would be visually less harmful and the
development was in line with planning policy.
But the plans were turned down at a meeting of the east area planning committee on Thursday night.
Michelle
Monck, district councillor for Tasburgh, welcomed the decision. She
said: “It is great news for the village that this inappropriately
located mast has been refused.
“The mast was refused
permission under grounds that other sites had not been explored in
sufficient detail, that the mast would be visually obtrusive and due to
concerns over the perceived health risks. The proposed mast location
was near to local bus stops, schools and parks - as well as houses.
“I
feel this decision shows that myself and the planning committee will
not simply accept these national applications. For example other sites
explored by T-Mobile simply stated their view on its suitability.” |