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Published:
February 25, 2009
Exclusive:
O2 launches fresh bid to build phone mast on cinema's roof
 Mobile
phone giant O2 has this week submitted a formal appeal in its
bid to build a five metre tall phone mast on top of Burnham-On-Sea's
Ritz Cinema.
Burnham-On-Sea.com
first reported in 2007
that O2 had
submitted an application to build the mast, disguised
as a flag pole, and three antennae on the roof of the town's
cinema in Victoria Street, pictured, in order to introduce fast
3G mobile Internet coverage across the town.
Although
members of Burnham's Planning Applications Committee gave their
approval to the proposals in July
2008, the final decision rested with Sedgemoor District Council,
which turned down the application last August.
Its case officer Chris Gomm said the "incongruous and alien"
phone mast would be out of place in the town centre.
He
added: "The building is of architectural and historic importance
to the town and 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 and would be an incongruous
and alien feature to the detriment of both the building and surrounding
Conservation Area."
But
O2 has not given up and Burnham-On-Sea.com
learns the phone giant has submitted an appeal in a bid to overturn
the decision. It had six months from the date of Sedgemoor's decision
to submit the appeal.
The
Planning Inspectorate has begun reviewing the case and is expected
to make a final judgement on whether the scheme can go ahead in
the summer.
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