Update on Vodaphone/O2 mast

Vodafone/O2 phone masts

Residents of the western end of Baldwins Hill, who have voiced strong concerns about plans for a giant mobile communications mast planned for the corner of Baldwins Hill and Goldings Hill, may be encouraged by a helpful update prepared by David Linnell of Loughton Residents Association Plans Group which has been received by the Hills Amenity Society.

He writes that regarding site 18379 Junction of Goldings Hill and Baldwins Hill, ” they propose to redesign the mast as a telegraph pole, with only two antennas, to limit the impact on the area and decrease the visual harm, and to move the pole slightly to reduce the impact on the area.”

David Linnell believes the Government has stacked the planning system in favour of the phone companies, “making it hard for councils to resist these applications (and making appeals on council refusals likely to succeed)”.  However, Baldwins Hill/Goldings Hill mast would appear to be one where the objections made so far have resulted in proposed masts being re-sited or where attempts have been made to make the masats less obtrusive.

The current position, says Mr Linnell, is that the applicants’ agent has approached the District Council with revised proposals. “These are preliminary discussions, and no action can be taken – when planning applications appear on the Council planning list we will consult nearby residents again.”

Other masts are planned for the junction of Borders Lane and Traps Hill, the north side of Chester Road opposite Droveway, and the Junction of Westall Road and Etheridge Road, Loughton, where it is proposed to move the site to the pavement outside the Clydesdale Pub, subject to underground service searches, and to redesign the mast as a telegraph pole at the lowest height possible, with three antennas instead of six.

The application for a mast on the High Road outside Oaklands School went to appeal and a decision is awaited.