Let Battle Commence…. Again!

Chris at the proposed location

As I predicted, despite opposition at the pre-app consultation stage, Mono consultants on behalf of Voadafone and Telefonica have submitted a planning application for a telephone mast and ancillary equipment on Saughall Massie Road, close to the junction with Kingfisher Way.

Some people think I am anti mast, nothing could be further from the truth, like millions of people I rely on a mobile phone signal, however I am opposed to installations at what are clearly innappropriate locations, and this application is for just that.

This is a densely populated area, with lots of sheltered accommodation and a residential home close by, its on a main route and close to a bus stop.   I have already had calls from local residents, all absolutely appalled at this application, objections are flooding in and a petition has already been started.    I, along with my colleagues, Cllr Steve Williams and Cllr Simon Mountney am happy to support residents in opposing the application.

Should you wish to support or oppose this application you can do so by contacting the Council’s Planning Officer who is dealing with this application, Neil Williams.     Neil can be emailed: neilwilliams@wirral.gov.uk, Telephone: 0151 606 2138, or by writing to him at Cheshire Lines Building, Canning Street, Birkenhead, CH41 1ND ensuring you quote application number: ANT/11/01359.  All representations need to be submitted by the 8^th December, 2011.

Massive Opposition to Vodafones Appeal

Readers of the blog and the wider Moreton community will be aware of the appeal made by Vodafone for a telephone mast, cabinet and ancillary equipment on Town Meadow Lane (near the the Linear Park Childrens Play Area).    The application was originally refused by Wirral’s Planners back in April and Vodafone left it until two days before the expiry before they appealed.    

Since then I am aware that many local residents have sent in letters objecting, and thanks to John and Julie (two residents who live close by) a huge petition of over 450 signatures has been collected and submitted to the planning inspectorate.      Its not too late to object, but be quick, you have until the 8th December to get your objection to the Inspector, and don’t forget it has to be in triplicate.    For more information click HERE

Telephone Mast REFUSED

I am pleased to say that the latest planning application for a telephone mast, made by Mono Consultants on behalf of Vodafone and o2 has been refused by Wirral’s Planning Department.       You can read the refusal notice by clicking here.    The application was for a 13.8 metre mast, cabinet and ancillary equipment on green belt land on Saughall Massie Road (close to the new slip road off the bypass).   

When we learned of this application we immediately took it out of delegation so that the planning commmittee would have to make the decision and submitted our objections to the application.

We were then contacted by the head of Wirrals Planning Section and he asked if we would put the matter back into delegated authority because the officers were going to refuse the application as soon as the last date for representations had passed.   Clearly we agreed to this in order to make sure we got a refusal sooner, rather than later.

Another Telephone Mast Application for Moreton

A couple of months ago we were made aware, through a pre-application consultation document that Vodafone were considering submitting a planning application for a telephone mast near to Linear Park.     I objected, as did many local residents.     Despite those objection we have learned today that Mono Consultants has submitted a planning application on behalf of Vodafone for a ‘Telephone Mast, Antennae, Cabinet and Ancillary Equipment’ on the footpath adjacent to the Linear Park Area.    Application number: ANT/10/00325.       

We have asked that the application be taken out of delegated authority, which means that the decision to approve or refuse the application will be made by Wirral’s Planning Committee on Thursday 22nd April in a public hearing, at Wallasey Town Hall, Brighton Street, Wallasey CH44 8ED.   The meeting starts at 6pm and is open to the public.  

We think its a crazy application in a totally inappropriate location.    The Council is spending £81,000 on refurbishing the childrens play area, and along come Vodafone who want to stick a mast and other equipment close to it.

We have already submitted our objections to the application.    If you want to object you can do so by sending an email to the planning officer dealing with the application, alexandramcdougall@wirral.gov.uk  or, by writing to her at Cheshire Lines Building, Canning Street, Birkenhead, ensuring you quote: ANT/10/00325.  All objections must be submitted by the 16th April.