Decision is coming on phone mast plan (From Malvern Gazette)

Decision is coming on phone mast plan

2:30pm Thursday 14th August 2008 in News By Tarik Al Rasheed

MORE than a dozen objections have been raised to controversial plans to build a new mobile phone mast in Barnards Green.

Mobile giant O2 wants to put up a 12.5m mast with three antennas on the Six Ways Industrial Estate, on Barnards Green Road.

The mast would be made to look like a telegraph pole and require an equipment cabinet nearby.

The application will be decided by Malvern Hills District Council’s southern area planning committee in Priory Lodge Hall, Avenue Road, at 7pm on Wednesday (August 20), and officers are recommending it for approval.

However residents have expressed concerns over perceived health risks, potential devaluation of property, and a harmful visual impact. Some also feel it is too similar to a previous application for a 15m mast on the same site, which was refused in 2006.

O2 has stated that the mast is urgently required as part of its ongoing commitment to provide network coverage for mobile users across the UK.