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Practical Steps

Practical Steps to Stop a Mast

PRACTICAL STEPS YOU CAN TAKE TO STOP A MAST

RESPONDING TO MAST PLANNING APPLICATION

A MAUK GUIDE (OCT 2003)

Mobile phone masts over 15 metres in height require planning permission from the local planning authority for the area. Masts under 15 meters are currently subject to the same controls. Our experience however, is that you can influence the local council to support your objections.

WHAT TO DO WHEN YOU HEAR OF A MAST PLANNING APPLICATION

  • visit your planning authority to view site plans - obtain a copy
  • visit the proposed mast site - assess likely impact on surrounding properties and environment
  • check how much time you are allowed to oppose the application
  • you will be opposing a National/Multinational company and need others to help
  • establish a small local campaign group - access to IT/photocopier useful
  • prepare campaign action group - agree roles/responsibilities
  • liaise with the planning officer dealing with the application
  • establish a good relationship with this official - their report will be very influential
  • aim to get the application referred from the planning officials to the elected members at a full planning committee hearing
  • you can achieve this by showing the application is a matter of widespread local concern - write to all councillors on planning committee individually
  • aim to demonstrate local concern to the council planning department by a protest petition - as many signatures as possible - recruit local shopkeepers and others to help. Check that your local council is happy to accept standard letters - provide people with a sample letter to sign or guidance key points - offer to deliver letters to the council
  • demonstrate to the council that there are alternative sites - talk to local farmers/landowners. An operator has to show that they have explored other locations - make sure this has been done
  • through the group, gather support for the views you are presenting from:
    • local residents - as many as possible
    • local parish and district councillors
    • local MP
    • local organisations - residents associations/other
    • medical experts re: risks to locals with pacemakers/other
  • planning law allows visual amenity (impact) to be considered - health issues, reduction of property values are also viable concerns to be considered by the council - use as many areas as possible.
  • request the council arranges a test mast to be erected - get locals and cameras there
  • written evidence from estate agents about the effect of masts on house prices may help increase local support as well inform about potential health risks
  • aim for maximum publicity for ALL your concerns through ALL your contacts: local press - photo opportunities/letters, local radio,TV - small production companies worth targeting

If a planning application is granted the mast build may go ahead. Be prepared to continue your campaign to maximise the PR damage to the company. They can still find another site and in many cases due to overwhelming public pressure they have done so. If planning permission is refused the company has six months to lodge an appeal. So do not disband your campaign you may need to represent your case again. Use the Information contained within this website to formulate your arguments to the Local Council etc.