News

A mix of bad and good news this time.

On the 9th March we were back again at the Town Hall to put our case, and hear the decision on the application by Orange PLC to fit 2 x new 600mm microwave dishes on the tower. We lost because the Planning Committee disagreed with our case that 3 of the existing 5 dishes should have been removed 28 days after they became redundant many months ago. If they had been removed in line with the original imposed conditions, then the new application would be to actually increase the number of dishes from 2 to 4. Our further case that the new dishes should not be allowed because the same effect of "line of sight" communication could be achieved using land-lines was largely ignored. We remain uncertain as to how much the decision was influenced by one of the committee shouting "if you think this looks bad (the tower) then you should see the one that is behind my house". The vote to approve the 2 extra microwave dishes was unanimous.

Good news. On 23rd March the decision was taken by the Inspector from the DETR in Bristol to dismiss both applications by Hutchison 3G UK to remove 5 of the original windows from this Grade 2* Listed building, and to replace them with plastic (GRP) imitations so that 3 x antennae and 2 x microwave dishes could be "hidden" behind the plastic glass which would allow the microwave radiation through unhindered. The Inspector made reference to the fact that not only would the new windows be highly noticable but also the new antennae and dishes would be seen, and that it would not be right to use the poor maintenance by United Utilities of the existing glazing in the tower as a reason to make further variation in the overall visual appearance of the structure. The Inspector also stated that "As the third party representations suggest, the continuing additions are beginning to change the character of the entire building from one of a water tower to that of a telecommunications tower. I agree that it is a 'step too far'".

The full decision is available as the Hutchinson Appeal.

Orange installing new antennas.

December and January have seen a lot of work happening in and around the Tower. First, a scaffolding tower was erected and then scaffolding built around the tank inside the gantry. This work culminated with the arrival of a Facelift Bronto to replace the Orange 3G antennas as under their 2002 application.

Orange have now applied to install another two microwave dishes on the tower.

At last, GOOD NEWS

Further to our article in the WALRUS, we are very pleased to be able to let you know that the Inspector from the DETR has DISMISSED THE APPEAL by T-Mobile to fit a further 5 x mixed type antennae to the Gorsehill Water Tower. This can only be good news for the future of this superb Grade 2 Listed building. In his report he states "that minor works to a building can cumulatively be very destructive of its special interest. In my view that is what would result from the addition of yet more equipment in the manner proposed".

We, as local residents, believe that this report will set the precedent for the future should any further telecommunications companies attempt to place more equipment on the tower. With the forthcoming River of Light and City of Culture events coming ever nearer perhaps we should give serious consideration to the idea of the Tower being illuminated with soft diffused orange lighting which would highlight the very special architectural features of this late Victorian gem.

Read the appeal decision.

The new Orange dish glinting in the sun.

Bad news, I'm afraid. The planning inspector has passed the Orange application. Apparently the inspector likes mobile phone masts:

The tower is adorned with a significant number of aerials, antennae and dishes and there is an extant listed building consent for more.

He also has his facts wrong as there are no more antennae to be installed on the tower, but with the passing of this application we are certain to get a lot more.

The inspector also seems to believe that the mobile phone companies will put some effort into disguising their equipment now they have the application:

In this case, because there is equipment to be replaced, it seems to me that what matters is not whether an exact colour match can be secured but whether a colour match as good or better than that which already exists is possible. I see no reason why this cannot be achieved.

I can - money. Can you spot the new dish that has already been installed?

The full text of the planning inspectors decision can be found on the Orange Appeal page.

The planning meeting to decide the outcome of the T-Mobile applications will take place Thursday 5^thJune at 6:15 pm in the usual room at the Town Hall.

The recommendation by the Planning Office is to REFUSE both applications, so TAG will not speak (at all) on behalf of the petitioners in order to block T-Mobile.

In view of this, could as many as possible attend this meeting in order to get moved up in the order of business. T-Mobile applications are Nos. 20 & 21 on the agenda for the evening.

As one aerial comes down another goes up! Thanks to planning enforcement the Orange dish was removed at the beginning of May, however on Wednesday 28th May a new aerial was installed. At this stage we know few details. The new array consists of 4 x folded Dipole antennae mounted vertically in line on a support pole (approx. 8 - 10 foot high) and placed on the turret above the main roof line of the Tower. This type of antennae is more generally used for vehicle to base transmissions and, currently we do not think it is a mobile phone mast. The fitting contractors said that they were working for United Utilities.

T-Mobile have announced that they want to fix 4 antennae and 1 transmission dish to the Water Tower. Comments are wanted by 22 May 2003, but since there does not appear to have been a public announcement of this application yet, the date may change. Look out for petitions appearing soon.


TAG have sent a letter to the planning inspectorate to give the community's views on the Orange appeal. A copy of the letter can be found in the Orange section of this website.

For those wondering what the new white dish on the Tower is, Orange could not wait for the decision of this appeal and so decided to start installing the equipment anyway. TAG have contacted the council planning enforcement officer to have this investigated.

Congratulations to the Portland Court protestors who successfully had an application for 3 Tetra (Airwave) masts turned down. (App. 20035213). TAG hope that BT do not want to put these Tetra masts on the Water Tower when it lies so close to schools and housing.


Orange Plc. have contacted the Planning Inspectorate to appeal their refused applications for 10 antennae on the tower. The appeal will be exchange of written statements, so if there are any points you would like raise either contact TAG or write (in triplicate) to

Secretary of State, Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions,
Planning Inspectorate, Room 326, Hawk Wing, Temple Quay House,
2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN

quoting DETR Appeal Reference AP/W4325/E/03/1112222 and APP/W4325/A/03/1111959 with your objections.

We now have photos of those horrible new BT masts.

A copy of our February newsletter that went out to a thousand local residents is now available on this website as well.

Mast Sanity UK have announced a demonstration against the continued widespread abuse of Planning and Insensitive siting of Mobile Phone Masts too close to homes and communities across the UK.

Further details and information obtainable from the Mast Sanity Rally website.

Frank Field appeared on Radio 4's You and Yours program announcing that he intends to resubmit his bill to give local authorities the power to refuse planning permission for telecoms masts.


After months of waiting, Wirral council have refused both the planning applications and listed building consent from both Orange and Hutchinson.

There have been similar victories for other water tower protestors, this time in York.

There has still been no decision on the Orange application and, now, Hutchison 3G have submitted an application for 3 antennae and 3 microwave dishes. Hutchison 3G filed a similar application in May this year and then withdrew it in June (The sixth application withdrawn in 2 years!). This was on the same day that we delivered our petition of objection, thereby completely wasting all of our efforts in raising over 400 names on that petition.


ORANGE plc. continue to revise their submission for the Water Tower so no decision has yet been made on their July application. One of these revisions was made just hours before a planning meeting requring TAG to re-deliver almost a 1000 leaflets to local residents so they would not waste their time attending the meeting.

We are appalled at the way that Orange plc. are allowed (apparently lawfully) to conduct themselves in this way.

TAG are of the opinion that this move by Orange is nothing more than a spoiling tactic, they will be fully aware just how difficult it is for the residents of any area to mount an effective opposition to their commercial ambitions.

We now have a set of photographs of the Water Tower. These are taken from all around the tower and show what the phone masts look like.


We are to sorry to report that the Bill from Frank Field did not get a second reading on the 19th. Apparently it was not given a high enough priority on the day and, as a result, it was timed out.


For the eighth time in two years, we are forced to raise a new petition. Orange have applied for 6 antennae and 4 microwave dishes to upgrade their equipment on the tower. Details of the listed building consent and the planning permission they have applied for can be seen on the Wirral planning website.

Orange already operates from the tower using 9 of the existing antennae (6 panels and 3 dishes). The new planning application is to upgrade these 6 panels and install 3 new dishes, but also allows for the possibility of having 12 antennae in the future.

The plans also include installing a 100 amp power supply (an electric cooker uses no more than 30 amps). With up to 16 antennae and dishes, Orange have clearly ignored any requests to limit expose to residents and school children.

Please sign our petitions available at local shops and churches or write to the planning department before 15th August.

The MP, Mark Oaten, has presented an Early Day Motion (No. 1408) for a phone mast moratorium on school sites. This states:

That this house calls on the Government to strengthen its precautionary approach to the siting of mobile phone masts by introducing a moratorium on sites on or near to schools and by re-drafting PPG8 to make it clear that planning authorities can reject applications on the groups of local public health concerns.

If the motions gets signed by 200 MPs it will be debated, so please contact your MP and urge them to sign.