Published: November 14, 2007
Exclusive: O2 plans new phone mast on roof of Burnham-On-Sea's cinema

Mobile phone giant O2 has submitted a controversial planning application to build a new phone mast disguised as a flag pole on top of Burnham-On-Sea's cinema.

The company wants to install the mast plus three separate antennae on the roof of the Ritz Cinema in Victoria Street.

The application is due to be debated by Burnham's Planning Applications Committee for the first time this week, before it goes before Sedgemoor District Council's Development Control Committee in December to be decided.

O2 says the new antenna would act as a replacement for the temporary phone mast currently installed next to the RNLI lifeboat station in Marine Drive.

Its application states: "It would replace the original 2G coverage which was lost with the closing down of Burnham Radio Station, which has been covered in the interim by temporary masts on Marine Drive."

"The slimline monopole with integrated antennae has been kept as slimline as possible so as not to impact on the surrounding area."

"The proposed site can be used for both 2G and 3G without requiring further upgrade work, thereby bringing the additional advantage of 3G coverage to this area."

Local residents have until December 4th to register their comments about the proposal to Sedgemoor planners.