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DEVELOPMENT: Protest at mast close to school
PARENTS are protesting against plans to build a mobile phone mast close to a primary school.
PARENTS are protesting against plans to build a mobile phone mast close to a primary school.Mother-of-two Michelle Esposito, of Otago Road, Whittlesey, started a petition when Vodafone submitted proposals to build the mast on a grass verge next to Alderman Jacobs Primary School.
She said: "I know we all use mobiles, but to put the mast next to a school and in a residential area is ridiculous.
"Parents with children at the school have signed the petition, as well as residents in neighbouring streets.
"Nobody wants the mast to go there, and everyone has been very supportive.
"The site is on an open piece of grass verge. There are no trees or buildings to disguise it, so it will be an eyesore."
If given the green light, the 10m-high mobile phone mast will be placed at the junction of Drybread Road, Bassenhally Road and Otago Road – just metres from the school.
Mrs Esposito collected about 100 signatures, and sent the petition to Fenland District Council planning office last week.
She added: "I know of two previous phone mast applications which have been turned down in Whittlesey, and residents objected against those.
"One proposed site was near the fire station, and another for the other end of Drybread Road.
"I know there are no proven health risks involved with these masts, but this one shouldn't be put so close to the school."
A spokeswoman for Vodafone said: "We can confirm we have plans for a new mast in Drybread Road, Whittlesey. We can't comment further until the plans have been finalised."
Wendy Coles, spokeswoman for Fenland District Council, said: "If an application is made to put a mobile phone mast up, the company has to comply with government guidelines.
"In this case, Vodafone complied with guidelines, and a 56-day period to consider the application ends this week.
"The only way it could be refused is n grounds of visual impact.
"Its proximity to a school would not be an issue for refusal."
A decision on the mast will be made by the council on Monday.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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