Controversial Carlisle Road mobile phone mast approved by councillors

Feb 10 2011 by Alastair McNeill, Hamilton Advertiser

CONTROVERSIAL plans for a mobile phone mast in a residential area of Hamilton were this week given the go-ahead.

South Lanarkshire’s planning committee approved the Vodafone and O2 scheme for the 48ft ‘flagpole’ mast with six antennae and equipment on a pavement in Carlisle Road.

Planners had received 20 letters opposing the scheme and a petition containing 64 signatures.

Opponents were concerned the maintenance associated with the mast would pose a danger to drivers and pedestrians alike.

One Carlisle Road resident commissioned a survey which showed that during a three-day period 4500 cars were recorded travelling on the road, 90 per cent of which exceeded the speed limit.

Robert MacGregor claimed it showed that any vehicle parked at the site - opposite Carlisle Road’s junction with Laverock Crescent - would create a traffic hazard.

Worries were also expressed about radiation emitted from the mast and the danger to health it posed to residents and children attending a local nursery, and the impact the mast would have on the visual amenity of the area.

In a document put before councillors, however, planning chief Colin McDowall accepted that there was “no doubt” that the mast would be seen.

However, the impact on residential properties nearest the mast site would be limited due to trees and the position and distance of houses.

He added: “In addition, the design of the mast is a slim monopole, which would not appear too incongruous in the context of the existing street furniture along Carlisle Road, albeit these are not as high.

“It is considered that masts of this design can become generally accepted features of the streetscene.”

Mr McDowall also pointed out that a Roads and Transportation Services requirement that the mast’s cabinet does not obstruct pedestrian or wheelchair movement was achievable.

This would be done, he said, through a planning condition “to ensure that the cabinet doors are sliding in nature or are capable or being opened fully - i.e. 180 degrees or capable of being fully removed for the purposes of servicing to ensure that they don’t open onto the public footway and obscure it.”

Mr McDowall further stated that, according to Government scientific advice, there was no evidence to support health concerns regarding any emissions.

And the proposal, he said, was in accordance with Government guidance on the siting and design of telecommunications apparatus, and in accordance with South Lanarkshire Local Plan policies.