Mast proposal rejected yet again

By Sandra Perry

BISHOP'S Stortford residents have won another victory - for the FOURTH time - against a phone mast going up near their homes.

Last night, Wednesday April 9, East Herts district councillors went against their officer's advice and threw out O2's plans for the 13m (42ft) column plus two equipment cabinets near the Great Hadham Road-Oriole Way roundabout.

The telecom giant's application was turned down at the development control committee because it would be intrusive and detrimental to the street scene and because of perceived concerns of local residents about the health risks.

There has been fierce opposition from residents living nearby since the first application was lodged in last summer.

Their spokeswoman Eve Pearson, of Marguerite Way, has said that apart from it being a blot on the landscape the mast would emit beams to the surrounding estate which was "chock-a-block with children". Householders also claim there is no need for it because the area already has good mobile phone coverage.

More than 80 people signed a petition last year. East Herts has refused the bids previously on the grounds that O2 should fully explore alternative sites and because the application in January was not a valid submission. Last night councillors considered that repeat application.