|
Tower Action Group |
|
|
February 2003
Dear Resident,
We feel it is time to update you on the latest developments regarding the use of Gorsehill Water Tower as a mobile phone base station. Since our first edition (Summer 2002) there have been 3 further planning applications to erect a total of 15 mixed type of antennae on the water tower. This will mean some replacement of existing antennae, but nevertheless an overall increase on the present number.
HUTCHINSON APPLICATION In May & November Hutchinson applied to erect 2 x microwave dishes and 3 x antennae. With your help we raised a petition of 445 names from 363 households in protest. This petition was submitted to the Planning department on 14th August. We were informed that the application would be heard at a planning committee meeting on 17th October. A leaflet informing residents of this meeting and asking for their support at the Town Hall was distributed to 1000 homes on 12th October. On Wednesday, 16th October at lunchtime, a mere 30 hours before the Planning Committee meeting, we were informed that Hutchinson had withdrawn their application. This left us with the task of informing residents about the withdrawal - drafting a "Meeting cancelled" notice, having it printed, 1000 photocopies made, and distributed on Wednesday evening and Thursday morning. Apologies to any residents who did not receive notification of the withdrawal and made their way to the Town Hall. Several weeks later we were informed that the application had been re-submitted and would be heard on 9th January 2003 Queries to the Planning Department revealed that our original petition was still on record, and so rather than repeat the exercise we raised a short petition of some 45 names in order to register our protest. The application was recommended for refusal by the Planning Department and was indeed refused at Planning Committee by a unanimous vote. Councillors stated that "enough is enough" and that the 20 existing masts should not be added to. The committee recognised that mistakes had been made in the past and we should not add to them. We felt that this was a step in the right direction and that the Committee should be thanked for this decision.
ORANGE APPLICATION Five members of the Tower Action Group had already submitted their names and addresses to the Planning Department and requested that they receive notice of any application affecting the water tower in order that all applications, notices of meetings etc. cannot be overlooked, however, on the evening of Thursday 23rd January 2003, at approximately 7.00 p.m., a phone call from the Town Hall by a supporter from the Birkenhead Flaybrick Tower group to one of our group alerted us to the fact that an application by Orange to erect 6 x antennae and 4 x microwave dishes, was about to be heard by the Planning Committee. At that time we were able to get only one of our group down to the Town Hall. Fortunately he was able to speak on our behalf. The Planning Department had seen fit to recommend the approval of the application, however the Planning Committee rejected the application by 8 to 4 on the grounds of, (1) "Excessive concentration of telecommunications equipment resulting in a cluttered appearance. (2) visually obtrusive / detrimental to the appearance and character of this Grade 2 Listed building We have subsequently complained to the Planning Department and reiterated our request to be informed as a group as early as possible of any future applications. The Planning Department had sent out only one notice about the meeting and this was unfortunately set aside with other paperwork with the expectation that all the group would be informed as arranged. That's it for the latest applications, in the meantime thanks for your support
INCOMING We have no doubt that it won't be long before we are knocking on your doors asking for your signatures on another petition. In fact a recent report from the Planning & Economic Development Department entitled "Proposed Network Plans for Mobile Telephone Systems Operators" indicates that applications are likely to increase over the next twelve months. The Council are required to produce a policy on the siting of telephone masts. The report was presented to the Environment, Transportation & Planning Strategy Select Committee on 20th January 2003. The report informs members of proposals by mobile phone systems operators to expand or upgrade their networks on Wirral. These proposals will be upgraded annually. At present there are 120 installations with a further 69 planned. There are five main commercial mobile telephone systems operators who are seeking to upgrade their services (that is both existing 2G services and also the new 3G network which facilitates faster data transfer and make video and multi-media packages available).
The operators involved are:
12 sites have been identified on Wirral as part of a search for 49 base stations throughout the Merseyside area. The public safety radio communications system on Merseyside is due to go 'on air' in September 2003. This would be operated using TETRA signals and would form part of a national digital mobile radio communications network for the police and potentially the other emergency services. Operators are expected to explore the feasibility of installing apparatus on existing buildings and masts. Thus some of the new development will qualify as permitted development without the need for making a formal application to the Local Planning Authority. Interestingly the "implications" sections of the report state that "an effective telecommunications service could help to reduce the need to travel" (LA21) and that there are no human rights issues arising from the report. We will keep you informed of the Councils policy on masts as and when we receive information. INVESTIGATION INTO MAST HEALTH EFFECTS The government have announced (JAN.03) an official investigation into the health risks linked to mobile phone masts. For the first time researchers from the Mobile Telecommunications Health Research (MTHR) programme will study individuals who feel their health has been affected by mast emissions as well as the masts themselves. Healthy groups will also be studied to try to establish any patterns. The announcement was welcomed by Powerwatch, the mast campaign group, although they expressed some doubt that the research would be independent given that MTHR are partly government financed. As yet we have no further news regarding this research but it has been suggested that the area around Gorsehill could be nominated as a study area. How would residents feel about the opportunity to take part in such research? If you have any comments about any of the above please get in touch with any of the members of the group - details on page 2 of this newsletter. MAST SANITY We have recently become affiliated to the national protest group, Mast Sanity. They are organising the UK's largest ever phone mast protest, which is being held in London on the 8th March 2003. Protestors will march from Hyde Park to Trafalgar Square and further information can be found at the Mast Sanity London Rally website or by calling the info-helpline on: 0161 959 0999 ENDPIECE
That's all for this newsletter - thank you for your time and your support.
We will endeavour to keep you up to date with developments.
Information from: |
||
 |