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Residents win fight against phone mast [Sentinel, The (Stoke-on-Trent, England)](Sentinel, The (Stoke-on-Trent, England) Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) RESIDENTS have won their fight to block plans for a phone mast being put up near their homes. Mobile phone giant Vodafone wanted to install a 30 metre structure (98 ft) with six 3G antennas and one microwave dish on land off Marsh Green Road, Biddulph. But councillors overruled planners who had recommended approval and rejected the application at a meeting of the district council's planning committee. The 'semi-industrial' site is next to a sewage works and it was the second time the company has tried to get planning permission to put up the mast in the area. They also considered 12 other locations. But councillors raised concerns that the site was at risk of flooding and about the threat to health. Bob Hart, chairman of Biddulph Valley North Community Association, claimed there was no need for another mast in the town. He said: "This mast needs to be 100 feet high and it would be built in the lowest point of Biddulph Valley. Other sites have been offered." Biddulph councillor Tony Hall said: "Local people's views are paramount. Consideration has to be given to the health of the community." Fellow councillor Jim Davies added: "There are large numbers of residents who would be affected by this mast which would be extremely intrusive in a green belt area. There is also a risk of flooding." (c) 2011 ProQuest Information and Learning Company; All Rights Reserved. |