RESIDENTS have lost a battle to block plans for a mobile phone mast near a nature reserve.
Warrington’s development control committee agreed – after a lengthy debate and with considerable misgivings – to grant permission to Vodafone for the mast on a grass verge off Moss Gate, Birchwood.
More than 140 residents had opposed the application – along with Birchwood Town Council.
The committee was told there were already 15 phone masts in Birchwood and the town council believed “enough was enough”.
But officers recommended the application be approved – and councillors decided they had no other option.
The mast will be about 30 metres from the nearest dwelling and will be similar in appearance to street lights in the area, although slightly taller.
It will be near the entrance to both the Risley Moss nature reserve and Birchwood Forest Park – and the Town Council argued that it would have a detrimental impact on both.
But officers pointed out that the site was more than 300 metres from the boundary of the nature reserve.
Nearby residents objected on the grounds of health, unnecessary risks to children, the height of the apparatus and the proximity of houses.
Residents lose phone mast battle
00 Comments
Share.
About Author
Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
