Pacific Road Mast Application

A planning application for a Vodafone/O2 mobile 'phone mast on Pacific Road, Trentham met with significant opposition locally.  I, along with many others, submitted an objection.

Stoke-on-Trent City Council on this occasion supported community wishes by rejecting the planning application on the grounds that the design, height and location of the mast and associated equipment would result in a visually intrusive and incongruous structure in the streetscene, contrary to PPG8, CSS Policy CSP1 and Structure Plan Policy D2.

Mono consultants,on behalf of Vodafone, have now appealed.  In a nutshell they seem to be saying that they think the mast would look ok and they can't find anywhere else to put it.  But shouldn't local people be the ones to determine this?

The appeal will now be considered by the Planning Inspectorate. They are asking for, amongst other things, evidence of existing coverage gaps.  This is interesting because I did not feel convinced of the need for the mast from the evidence provided, though Vodafone must think there is a need, given their determination to pursue this.

I wonder who will win?  Big companies or little local people and their council?








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