Ash Lane mast planning application has gone in

I've just spoken with Planning, Orange, Parish Council chair and others re this mast application which has now gone in - see my letter to the Randwick Runner below.

Cartoon: from "local scribbler, Russ"

Proposed Radio Base Station, Land Adjacent Ash Lane, Stroud: S.08/0862/FUL

Orange have now put in a planning application for a 15 metre high mast at land adjacent to Ash Lane. By the time the Runner goes to press, the District Council should have put full details on their website. I have requested that this planning application is withdrawn from the delegated schedule as this will allow more scrutiny of this planning application.

To make comments or objections on the application, quote the reference number and get them to the District Council within four weeks.

It is my view that the mast could have a serious negative visual impact on our beautiful countryside from some key angles. This, is also, in my view the strongest grounds for objecting to the mast. Several residents have already contacted me to express strong opposition to this location.

The need for a mast in the area has apparently arisen due to Stroud College not re-siting an Orange mast from their old building to their new one. However many people report reasonable Orange coverage despite the lack of a mast. Apart from questioning the need I am also concerned that Orange have not done enough to find alternative sites. I am told by Orange's agent that the mast within Standish Wood already has an Orange connection and that the Prince of Wales mast is not suitable. Is there an alternative site that will not impact on people or our countryside?

A health risk?

Planning regulations make it very difficult to challenge masts on health risks: indeed I have been told by some planners that it is not worthwhile raising health concerns. The Government's Stewart Report sets out that the maximum beam of intensity should not fall on any part of a school premises. However, as I've discussed on my blog, the Government guidelines fudge this by leaving loop holes that allow masts to be built on schools. In my view if there is concern about schools then we should also be concerned about homes.

We should at the very least see the precautionary principle applied - the Precautionary principle states that in the event of doubt, risk should be avoided or minimised. In a telephone call with Orange's agent I have sought more information regarding the beam intensity of this proposed mast. My initial information would indicate that the beam is away from people's homes, but I await confirmation.

Other concerns raised

Additional traffic on Ash Lane: Orange note that they make only six maintenance visits a year.

Access to the mast: the proposed access track area could become a place for cars to park at night listening to loud music like in other local areas.

Visual impact: the Parish Council noted that they would wish Orange to use one of the masts designed to resemble a tree. They have done this in other areas but only when insisted upon by Planning.