By BRIAN TILLEY

Published at 09:37, Friday, 20 November 2009

PLANS to move a controversial mobile phone mast away from a school in Ponteland have been unanimously rejected by county planners.

But that means communications giant Telefoncia 02 UK may now go ahead with its original plan which would involve siting the 15-metre high pole and equipment right outside the gates of Darras Hall First School.

Protesters turned out in force for Northumberland County Council’s west area planning committee in Hexham, when the new proposals by 02 to improve mobile coverage of the Darras Hall area were considered.

The company had already received permission for a mast outside the school by default, when the county council took too long to respond to the application.

After a public outcry over the scheme from angry parents, who were fearful of the possible health consequences of having a mast so close to their children, the company came up with a compromise site, which would take the mast 90 metres away from the school.

However, the revised site on a grass verge to the eastern side of Broadway, ran into a hail of opposition too.

There were 226 letters of objection, with 272 signatories representing local residents, local businesses, Darras Hall Estates Committee and parents of pupils attending the school, as well as a 32-name petition.

As well as the perceived health risks, it was claimed that the mast would be visually intrusive, and would add to a wave of existing street furniture cluttering up Broadway.

Fears that the application would set a precedent for further telecommunications development in Darras Hall, that it would be an inappropriate development in a sensitive location near to residential properties, such as a care home, school, church and shopping centre, were also expressed during the consultation process.

Ponteland Town Council also launched strong objections, pointing out the long-term effects of electromagnetic radiation were still not known, and that a 15-metre high mast would introduce a “highly conspicuous and alien structure” into the locality.

O2 claims it requires a mast in the centre of Darras Hall to improve 3G mobile coverage in the area, and has examined six other possible sites, but rejected them for technical or physical reasons.

The rooftop of the Broadway shopping centre was among those considered, but due to the ongoing redevelopment plans for the area, an agreement for the location of a mast could not be reached.

Agents for 02, Galliford Try, said in a statement to the committee: “It is considered that the proposal strikes a good balance between environmental impact and operational considerations.

“The proposed height and design represents the best compromise between the visual impact of the proposal on the surrounding area and meeting the technical coverage requirement for the site.”

The report to the committee recommending refusal of the second application read: “The concern and anxiety expressed by local residents, local businesses, Darras Hall Estates Committee and parents of pupils attending the nearby Darras Hall First School over the perceived health implications of a telecommunications development in this location have been noted.

“It is well established that concerns and fears on health grounds, including perceived threats to health are a material planning consideration to be taken into account.”

Following the meeting, county councillor for Ponteland north, Richard Dodd said: “This is a bit of a hollow victory for people in the area who opposed this because we all know that 02 are sitting there with an application which has gone through, whether by fair means or foul.

“The next move on this is going to take a lot of negotiation.”

Published by http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk