Residents who battled plans to install a mobile phone mast in Shrewsbury more than 18 months ago have warned the mobile phone giant behind new plans they “have a fight on their hands”.
Last year protesters successfully stopped plans by phone giant O2 to erect a 12.5 metre antenna near their homes in Copthorne.
But councillor Judith Williams last week received a letter from rival firm Vodafone stating its intention to use the site for its mast.
Dr Jon Sharp, of Shrewsbury Chiropractic Clinic in Copthorne Road, said: “We fought the last phone mast and we will fight this one too.
“When 02 tried to put one there 18 months ago there was such fierce opposition that Vodafone would be very foolish to even consider it.”
02 was granted planning permission for their mast in February last year. But after receiving a 950-signature petition from protesters and witnessing more than 200 residents taking to the streets to complain about proposals, the company pulled out in March 2007.
Vodafone’s proposal would comprise of a 12m-high street furniture column and equipment cabinet to be installed close to the junction of Copthorne Road and Copthorne Park.
A public meeting will be held in the Darwin Community Centre, in Frankwell, on Thursday at 6pm to allow residents to discuss the new proposals and decide on their future actions.
19 Comments
Well done to those willing to protect their local environment against yet another profit hungry corporate. And just ignore the paid shills who wil come out now and start calling names like ‘nimby’.
Masts shouldn’t be put near people, there are so many reports stating that there are serious health problems associated with them. It’s not nimby to fight your corner over such a risk to yours and your childrens health. Good luck to the protesters.
Don’t we have enough phone masts? It makes me sick to think that one of these masts would go up any where near my home and children. It’s about time that our health was considered more important than money making and teenagers sending pointless texts to their friends.
SAY NO TO THE MAST!
These masts are everywhere, when will it stop! Until they have been proven 100% safe then they shouldn’t be sited near people. The governments own reports say that there are problems with them and the recommendations state that care should be taken when siting them.
turn your phone off them nimby, go back to the stone age if you like that so much
‘Turn your phone off’. There are masts everywhere, why put up more? The people in that area will have no choice to turn their phones off. The fact is we have enough of the things why put up more. If you can’t get a signal move! But the fact is you can get one in that area, so why put up another mast. If they are so safe why has the Vatican been convicted of causing ill health to those living near by their mast?
NIMBYS - i want a phone signal i dont care about your aesthetic objections to these wonderful towers
If one has already been turned down why is another company trying the same trick. I wouldn’t want this near my home so why should it go near anyone elses. It has nothing to do with how it looks it’s all down to the health risks you get with these masts. It’s just no worth it.
guess these nimbys dont use phones then??????? right?????????????
Mark h what a clever answer! So the health risks mean nothing? Why can’t the public ask that these masts be placed away from homes and schools. You can get a good signal in that area so why is yet another mast going up.
nimbys they want masts elsewhere for them to call their mates but not near them
Companies should share masts. There are three in our village all for different companies. Why cant they all use the same one it would make so much more sense!
We ALL need to stop the destruction of these greedy companies.
james that’s a good point, if they were nationalised and state owned this would be the case, the 3 per village syndrome is a sympton of privatisation in our economuy and the inherant inefficiencies that this brings
turn your phone off if you feel so strongly
NIMBY’s just looking out for their house values, there is no real health risk, and we all use and need mobiles so we have to accept masts wherever they are needed or go back to the dark ages
These masts dont just do the phones, they do your internet aswell!
You all use phones, you all use internets, so each one of you is contributing in one way or other! If you feel that strongly then turn of your phones and internet because there will be a mast for your internet or phone near to someone elses home!
yes lets all go back to the 60s with a little red phone box at the end of each country lane, when my house goes up in flames i’ll ring a bell and send my boy running 5 miles down the road with a farthing for a phone call
No thanks, put the mast up, ill have a mobile, and ill live in the 21st centruy thank you very much
So if there are no health risks then why do the governments own reports say different? I take it that everyone here has read them and is well informed. Also if there is already very good signal in this area why is another mast going up.
There are proven health problems due to masts and now the world health organisation recognises electrosensitivity. Surely it is better to be safe than sorry. We don’t have to get rid of masts just be careful when siting them, like it states in the Stewart report. The trouble is that all those shouting nimby haven’t done their homework. Wouldn’t it just make more sense to keep the mast away from schools and homes, mast share (the planning regs say that this is a first priority) and think more of our health than big buissness.