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Published:
June 8, 2008
Exclusive:
O2 loses bid to keep phone mast in Burnham for extra year
 Mobile
phone giant O2 has this week lost its bid to keep a 15 metre tall
'temporary' phone mast in the centre of Burnham-On-Sea.
The
mast, which is mounted on a portable trailer, was first installed
in May
2007 after O2 was forced to remove a controversial mast in
nearby Marine Drive.
The
company applied to Sedgemoor District Council for full planning
permission to retain the huge mast south of Pier Street next to
the RNLI station, for an additional 12 months.
It
wanted until May 2009 to find a permanent site in the Burnham
area for the structure. But Sedgemoor planners have this week
turned down the application.
Cllr
Peter Clayton, Burnham's Mayor and Chairman of the town council's
planning applications committee, welcomed the decision on Monday
(June 8th).
He
told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "I support the views of the planning
officer - this mast was placed there with a view to finding an
alternative permanent site within six months. I feel six months
is long enough and little effort has been made to resolve the
problem."
"It
is unfair on the residents that live just a few yards away from
this mast to have to put up with it for another year. I feel O2
is a big enough company and should stop dragging their heals on
this matter and come up with a site that is acceptable to both
parties."
"I
am aware of how important good coverage is in this area but I
am convinced a more suitable site can be found."
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