Basingstoke planning

Thursday, February 1, 2007

"MAST WORK CONGRATULATED" - Basingstoke Gazette (1 February 2007)

Planners in Basingstoke have been congratulated for their efforts to engage with residents in dealing with mobile phone mast applications.

Residents praised Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council for its commitment to best practice at an annual telecommunications planning meeting.

Representatives from mobile operators T-Mobile, Orange and 3, which is part of Ericsson, presented plans for potential masts in the area. Last year, 21 planning applications were submitted to the Borough Council's Planning Department, and 13 of those were approved. Planning Officer Matthew Melville said: "Basingstoke and Deane has been recognised for good practice in processing applications. We have been very active in engaging with residents and have set up a Mailing-List for interested parties." See link: http://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/planning/telecoms/operators/contacts.htm He added the Council also seeks to encourage mobile operators to share Masts where possible.

The Meeting was chaired by Councillor Horace Mitchell, Borough Cabinet Member for Planning and Transport, and attended by representatives from several Parish Councils, the Borough Council and Winchester City Council.

Speaking at the Meeting, Mast Campaigner Simon Preedy, of Cyprus Road, Hatch Warren, Basingstoke said: "Several Councils are using Basingstoke as a model and I want to take this opportunity to congratulate the Council... and Operators [to be precise, 3 (UK)] for the excellent Pre-Application Consultation in Hatch Warren."

Details of potential Mast sites are available on the Council's website: http://www.basingstoke.gov.uk/planning/telecoms/development/maps.htm