The second guest post is by Alan Brown from Rayleigh who we’ve mentioned on onlinefocus before as a very effective member of the public in the council chamber. Alan is concerned about how phone masts are treated in the planning process, and in particular about a new proposal for a mast. He’s asked to write something here and we’re pleased to help Alan express his view. But as usual we aren’t permitted to make our minds up on any application in advance of any planning meetings.
Phone masts
Today, we find there are plans to build a 15 metre phone mast directly opposite our house. Needless to say we are objecting. It will spoil an attractive landscape, is a totally inappropriate location in what is a residential area, reduces footpath width, will be taller than all surrounding objects and is adjacent to the Church Hall where there are childrens clubs, amongst a range of issues.
Following the Geoff Bray / Tesco issue this another potential blight on this part of Eastwood Road that the residents need to be fully aware of to enable them to navigate the planning process. Yet again I find this difficult and unclear. The letter I have received states this is not a Planning Application together with a process flow for exactly that. I am exploring how the process for this so-called “permitted development” works. RDC as the LPA have clearly already stated to the applicant that this mast should be located elsewhere.
We will be contacting our Ward councillor on this topic and will seek to take whatever steps possible to object to this.