Phone giant's third bid for mast

MOBILE phone giants O2 are making a third bid to erect a mast in a leafy location close to a children’s play area.
Nearly 100 residents have lodged objections to the application for permission to erect a 15m high mast, two equipment cabins and associated equipment in Longwood Road, Appleton, Warrington.
Appleton Parish Council has also objected to the proposal.
Two previous applications have been submitted by the company this year. One was refused by Warrington planners and the other was withdrawn following an outcry from residents.
The new proposal involves a mast of reduced height, moved it 50m further away from the junction with Dipping Brook Avenue and Pewterspear Green Road.
In addition, a detailed explanation as to why the company cannot use other locations, including sharing masts with other companies in the vicinity.
The parish council says it has concerns about the design and appearance of the installation, points out it is close to the previously refused application and also alleges highway and pedestrian safety.
They still believed there has been insufficient evidence of the unsuitability of other nearby sites.
Residents say the mast is inappropriate in a residential area and out of keeping with a landscape which includes trees, green spaces, sculptures, Roman pillars, etc.
They also claim network coverage in the area is adequate with O2 already having reached the 80 per cent coverage required by the Government.
In addition, they fear an impact on wildlife during the construction period, claiming evidence of protected Great Crested Newts and bats in the vicinity.
Planning officers are recommending the scheme be approved without conditions.