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Published:
August 28, 2008
O2's
plan for 'incongruous and alien' mast on cinema roof is rejected
Mobile
phone giant O2's plan to build a five metre tall phone mast disguised
as a flag pole on top of Burnham-On-Sea's Ritz Cinema has been
rejected by district council planners this week.
 Burnham-On-Sea.com
first reported in 2007
how O2 had
submitted an application to build the mast, plus several smaller
separate antennae, on the roof of the cinema in Victoria Street,
pictured here.
Although
members of Burnham's Planning Applications Committee gave the
proposal a thumbs-up last
month, the final decision rests with Sedgemoor District Council.
And
Case officer Chris Gomm decided this week that the "incongruous
and alien" phone mast should not go ahead.
He
added: "The application building, whilst not listed, is a
notable early twentieth century cinema building in the centre
of Burnham-On-Sea."
"The
building is built in the Art Deco style and is of architectural
and historic importance to the town; the site is within the designated
town centre Conservation Area."
"The
proposed rooftop telecommunications mast does not satisfactorily
mimic a flag staff. The proposed mast is to be sited in a highly
visible position above the principal elevation of the building
fronting onto Victoria Street."
"The
proposed mast will be an incongruous and alien feature within
the street scene, to the detriment of both the building and surrounding
Conservation Area."
He
added: "The application is contrary to saved Policy PCS4
of the Sedgemoor District Local Plan and central government advice
set out in Planning Policy Guidance Note 8: Telecommunications,
and Planning Policy Guidance Note 15: Planning and the Historic
Environment."
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