Residents vow to fight Westcliff phone mast plan

The neighbours opposing the plan The neighbours opposing the plan

ANGRY residents are determined to fight plans to install a mobile phone mast in their road.

Vodafone wants to install a 12.5m mast on a grass verge opposite 270 Prittlewell Chase, Westcliff. A similar proposal for an 02 mast was turned down two years ago.

Sara Hammond, 43, who lives yards away from the proposed mast, said: “Despite what they say about there not being any proof of health dangers, we do worry about radiation in such a heavily populated area,”

Fellow Prittlewell Chase resident, Marina Pride, 58, said: “We’ve only just moved here and now we are facing this. All the residents are up in arms about it.”

The proposed mast will have six antennae and radio equipment.

A spokesman for Vodafone said: “As part of our pre-application consultation we did consult with the highways department and it did not raise any issues with the location of the site.

“We recognise some communities are concerned regarding the deployment of radio base stations close to residential areas, but without radio base stations, mobile phones would not be able to work.”

Southend Council is set to make a decision on June 11.

Comments(19)

Cliff says...
8:37am Sun 27 May 12

Unfortunately health issues however valid (and I don't have a mobile because I don't want a brain tumour) are not legitimate planning reasons for refusing an application - especially as most of the protesters usually have mobile 'phones themselves.

doggonepup says...
8:48am Sun 27 May 12

The whining brigade come out again. Everything is bad for you unless of course it is proved to be good for you...but then that proof is only ever any good if you are prepared to believe it.

These will be the first people to complain they don't get mobile phone coverage.

Hope you don't drive cars...you know how lethal those fumes can be...and that is a proven fact....maybe you should get the cars banned from your road at the same time cos there's more chance of dying from the fumes than there is from the phone mast.

TerrySays2 says...
9:02am Sun 27 May 12

Why do people from the film The Hills have Eyes always want to get a photo of themselves in the Echo. Phone masts get you better reception and with that you dont break up. I would love one outside my house. PLEASE STOP MOANING .. Bloody idiots agin

AnonymousInSOS says...
9:31am Sun 27 May 12

This is exactly what we need to improve mobile coverage in this area! The sooner the better please!

TerrySays2 says...
9:36am Sun 27 May 12

AnonymousInSOS wrote:
This is exactly what we need to improve mobile coverage in this area! The sooner the better please!
We pay enuff for our line rental and these companies dont give us great service. Its about time every area had more masts. Dont worry about the handful of haddocks that moan about anything. Stick the mast up and give us a good reception.

reptile says...
10:15am Sun 27 May 12

There in the lamp posts.

Expat Of says...
10:22am Sun 27 May 12

So, none of the people in the picture have or use Mobile phone Technology then! Yeah right, just a group of NIMBY's.
I apologise in advance for my comments to the Dog, as I am sure he is one of the few in the picture that has a genuine grievance.
So please stop being hypocritical, if you use the signal from masts in other peoples "Back Yards" quit moaning and get on with your life!

Nebs says...
10:27am Sun 27 May 12

I support the residents on this. Until the health effects are proven, one way or the other, they should be sited away from schools and as far as practicable from the most densely populated areas.

TerrySays2 says...
10:52am Sun 27 May 12

Nebs wrote:
I support the residents on this. Until the health effects are proven, one way or the other, they should be sited away from schools and as far as practicable from the most densely populated areas.
I would wager £100 with anyone that many of these in the photo have themselves or a family member that has a mobile phone. They just don't want it in their area. Mind you most of the people in the photo have passed their sell buy date.

Expat Of says...
10:52am Sun 27 May 12

Nebs wrote:
I support the residents on this. Until the health effects are proven, one way or the other, they should be sited away from schools and as far as practicable from the most densely populated areas.
Yes in an ideal world. In a world where we all drives Cars that have Zero impact on the environment, heat our Houses on totally green fuels, and say "Hello" to Noddy, Big-Ears and Mr Plod each morning.
Do you use a Mobile Phone? Would you be happy to travel into the middle of nowhere to get a signal? Unfortunately there is always a price to pay, yes for some things it may be too higher price, but I have yet to see confirmed evidence that phone masts are more dangerous than the Wi-fi routers that are in most homes and public places now-days. High power electrical Pylons are said to be dangerous. Just how many NIMBY's really want to go back to a time with out the modern comforts we all enjoy to day?

watchfulk says...
4:26pm Sun 27 May 12

I am curious do the Echo reporters ask everyone to adopt a thoroughly miserable face? Any article to do with someone agrieved has them gurning in the same way.

Nebs says...
4:33pm Sun 27 May 12

TerrySays2 wrote:
Nebs wrote:
I support the residents on this. Until the health effects are proven, one way or the other, they should be sited away from schools and as far as practicable from the most densely populated areas.
I would wager £100 with anyone that many of these in the photo have themselves or a family member that has a mobile phone. They just don't want it in their area. Mind you most of the people in the photo have passed their sell buy date.
I bet most of them have a toilet too, but that doesn't mean they have to live next door to a sewerage treatment plant.

jolllyboy says...
4:43pm Sun 27 May 12

Not allowed near Blenheim School due to the Airport's complaining. Trust Vodaphone consulted Stobart first. If they are not happy with the mast then Vodaphone should not have the automatic right to put it there. Unlike BT who put loads of those green boxes near corners so you cannot see round the corner when in a car.And yes BT are allowed to regardless ie they need no permission.

al coniston says...
5:45pm Sun 27 May 12

Dear Vodafone

When you pay the billions of pounds you owe this country in avoided tax then you may start to have more of a say in where you can and can't erect masts. Until then, put up and shut up !

Bosniavet says...
6:39pm Sun 27 May 12

NIMBYISM at it's best, I assume that none of the local residents have a mobile phone using the network that wants to erect this mast.

Last Poster says...
7:41pm Sun 27 May 12

90% of the posts on this issue are from the people who do not live here. Welcome back to the days of the shut up and put up brigade. Tories to a man, they will be the loudest voices when their turn comes for, say, a block of council flats on the green in front of their properties. But if their truly selfish attitudes become the rule, then their protests will fall on the deaf ears of the majority. And it will be truly well deserved! I just hope those self-same pillocks feel just a tad of remorse when they realise how much they themselves are throwing away of the "Bulldog Spirit" of the true British!

notinwestcliffanymore says...
10:21am Mon 28 May 12

Cliff wrote:
Unfortunately health issues however valid (and I don't have a mobile because I don't want a brain tumour) are not legitimate planning reasons for refusing an application - especially as most of the protesters usually have mobile 'phones themselves.
hope you dont use wi fi on your computer ohhhhhhhh it must be getting inside you somehow

frank & monty says...
1:06pm Mon 28 May 12

This location is right slap bang next to the Hospital.
Why does Vodaphone not just put the mast on top of the Hospital car-park?

The Cater Wood Creeper says...
5:55pm Mon 28 May 12

frank & monty wrote:
This location is right slap bang next to the Hospital. Why does Vodaphone not just put the mast on top of the Hospital car-park?
the hospital want to charge them too much, maybe....

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree