Parish council's response to planning application 21/0966/FUL - telephone mast on the Bath Road Recreation Ground
Bracebridge Heath Parish Council has been notified of a planning application seeking to erect a permanent telephone mast on the Recreation Ground, off Bath Road. The Council considered its response to this application at a meeting held on 16th August 2021. Residents can also comment on this planning application and are encouraged to do so. You can do this through the NKDC Planning Portal. Search for the application using reference 21/0966/FUL to view all the documents and submit comments.
Parish Council objected to the application with the following response:
Bracebridge Heath Parish Council strongly objects to planning application 21/0966/FUL on the following grounds:
- Power to mast – Further information is required regarding the electricity supply to a permanent mast in this location. The application at this point is incomplete as it does not address how an electricity supply will be provided.
- Incompatible use - The recreation ground is used for a number of sporting activities (tennis, bowls, football, multiple sports within the Multi Use Games Area), it contains a play park designed for young children, and the green space is regularly used by dog walkers and families enjoying picnics. The regular maintenance of a temporary mast in this location has resulted in vehicles needing to drive over the grounds right next to the above facilities. Council does not consider that access to the mast over the recreational space is compatible with its existing uses on the grounds of disturbance and also that of safety.
- Incompatible with the draft Bracebridge Heath Neighbourhood Plan - Policy 16 of the draft plan should be noted:
Access to a network of high quality open spaces and opportunities for sport and physical activity is important to the health and wellbeing of Bracebridge Heath residents. Any proposal to reduce or change the use of recreation or playing field space within Bracebridge Heath parish will be refused unless:
- the loss resulting from the proposed development would be replaced by equivalent or better provision in terms of quantity and quality in a suitable location; or
- the development is for alternative sports and recreational provision, the benefits of which clearly outweigh the loss of the current or former use.
- Inadequate landscaping and means of enclosure – the lack of means of enclosing the base station and preventing access by children and young people is problematic. Linked to the site being incompatible with the existing use as a recreation ground, it is clear from the temporary site that there are issues of safety in siting a mast in this location. The fencing has been breached since being in this location and has required further maintenance from the telecoms operator which has exacerbated the issue of disturbance.
- Pre-planning consultation – WHP Telecoms initiated a pre-planning consultation in mid-June 2021. The Council responded to this asking for more information and an opportunity to hold a public meeting. This has not been carried out and no further correspondence has been sent to the Parish Council. The documents sent to the Parish Council include reference to a consultation strategy as part of the pre-planning consultation. Despite being requested, it has never been made available. Council considers that the pre-planning consultation for this proposal has been wholly inadequate particularly given the impact the proposal would have on nearby residents and users of the recreation ground. The application for planning consent was signed on 19th June 2021, just four days after the initial contact with the Parish Council. There was clearly insufficient time for WHP Telecoms to engage in a meaningful consultation with affected parties.
- Alternative sites – Parish Council has also been approached by Waldon Telecom Ltd who are also working on behalf of EE and Three to secure a site. The pre-planning consultation document received by the Council indicates that the preferred site for Waldon is beside the Esso garage on Sleaford Road. This site had been discounted by WHP Telecoms on the grounds that there was insufficient space for the equipment. However, it is the preferred location for Waldon Telecoms Ltd on behalf of the same operators (EE and Three). Council therefore considers that there are reasonable and more compatible alternatives to the recreation ground which should be considered first before the site on the recreation ground.
- Ownership and permissions – Parish Council is the leaseholder for the recreation ground. Consent has not been given for this proposal and the terms of any such proposal have not been discussed.
- Inaccurate information contained within the application – The structure is within 3km of an aviation operator including RAF Waddington and the Air Ambulance Helipad.
Parish Council appreciates that mobile infrastructure is essential for our communities. However, given that an alternative site has been identified by a separate contractor, Council feels that the benefits of installing replacement telecoms infrastructure can be achieved in a more suitable location nearby.
Enclosures
Annex A – Pre-planning consultation by Waldon Telecom Ltd
Annex B – Planning drawings for proposed site at Esso Rontec, Sleaford Road
Follow the link to download a copy of the response with attachments - 21/0966/FUL - Telephone mast