Mike Weatherley backs local
residents on phone mast
Mike Weatherley, Conservative Party Candidate for
Brighton Pavilion, leant his support this
weekend against a telephone mast being erected at 8 Brangwyn Way Patcham
in Brighton. He joined local Tory Councilor Brian Pidgeon and residents
in a protest against this insensitive plan.
Originally the mast was proposed at the Esso garage
site in London Road. However, this was discounted on the grounds of
possible combustion hazard.
It was then suggested to be sited next to the local school, but
rejected removed on potential risks to health.
A suggestion was then put forward for the mast to be outside 14
Brangwyn Way, which would have been in direct view of the house and therefore
rejected on aesthetic grounds.
So there is an implicit admission that (a) there is a potential
health risk and (b) it looks unsightly.
Now it is to be at the foot of the garden at 8
Brangwyn Way. The city council are justifying this by
saying there are trees between the house and the proposed site.
Mike said: "I totally understand resident's concerns over
the mast. Would you move into a house that has a mobile phone mast right
outside? Clearly with the history behind this particular one there are health
and safety worries."
On Wednesday 17 March, Councilor Pidgeon will be speaking at a
Brighton and Hove City Council planning committee meeting on this issue.
A motion has been submitted by Tory members for discussion.
Mike added: "I am actually one of the many train commuters
this mast will help. There is no getting away from the fact that many
people do own a mobile phone out of a necessity rather than a luxury and the
masts have to be positioned somewhere. However, no commuter wants to see
any house blighted by an insensitive positioning. To dump it outside No
8 shows a clear lack of vision by the city council who are once again
taking the easy option. This mast absolutely must be sited in a less sensitive
location."
