Letter to the Planning Department

L O W R Y   H I L L   R E S I D E N T S    A S S O C I A T I O N.

226, Lowry Hill Road,

Carlisle,

CA3 0EG

22^nd March 2011

Dear Shona,

I am writing on behalf of the Lowry Hill Residents Association with regards to Application Reference 11/0001 TEL.

Following the pre-planning consultation organised by WFS Telecom I was informed of the proposal.

We set up a Web based questionnaire to allow residents to make their comments. These are included with this letter.

In addition the mast was discussed at our recent AGM. This extract indicates the reaction of those present at the meeting:

“There was a lot of discussion on the 3G-phone mast with Andrew showing us a map of the area it will serve and the various sites that had been identified by the company with the favoured site being immediately behind the entrance stone.  There was a show of hands with all attendees (23 members present) opposed to this location and it was agreed that Andrew would send a letter of opposition with suggested alternative sites.”

I enclose a diagram of other possible sites which we have identified which we feel would be more suitable and which were not properly investigated by WFS Telecom.

We feel that there are better locations for this mast than the one which has been proposed here and would welcome these being investigated.

Yours sincerely,

Andrew Rowell

(Chairman)

Responses to The Phone Mast Articles in the local press

There is a form for comments on the article regarding the discussion on the phone mast here.

The comments are reproduced below with my comments after each one.

1

The alternative locations suggested for this mast are not at all valid and do smack of nimby ism. Further objections will result if any of them are pursued

Posted by Al on 20 March 2011 at 11:30 

"Not at all valid"- has Al actually looked?  Why aren't they valid?

2

Here we go again, happy to have a better phone service but no in their backyard , snobs me thinks!

Posted by C c on 18 March 2011 at 11:43 

It might be nimby ism if we did not suggest valid alternatives.

3

Just because there is tragedy and suffering elsewhere in the world why should you not feel you have he right to complain. What is happening in Japan and the Arab nations is unpleasant viewing and awful but it is no different from all the other wars or natural or man made disasters that have manifested and killed hundreds of thousands over the past years.
What may just be another lamp post to you is another’s unwelcoming eye sore. The people of Lowery Hill are perceived as an easy target at times but they also have to be commended for thier community spirit and pride that is no different than that displayed by other community groups around the city .

Posted by Andy Hill on 18 March 2011 at 10:54 

Thanks Andy!

4

It's always the same with this area and it always has been. Even the Estate Agents promote it as 'north of the river' as if the south is downmarket.

It's about time the local councillor stopped supporting these demands and took a reality check, they're the same as everyone else in the city and should be treat accordingly rather than be given special status.
NIMBYS

Posted by Dave Evans on 18 March 2011 at 06:52 

We are not asking for any special status - we are concerned that the location of this mast may not be the best in terms of aesthetic impact.

5

I live on lowryhill and have a mobile, i would welcome a mast any where if you look around they just look as if another lamp post has been put up.Any way just look at what has happened in Japan and stop winning on its not worth the fuss get a life. Get out more there is more to life than moaning on,

Posted by Dominic on 17 March 2011 at 16:55

Lets just cut mobile phone signal to Lowry Hill then.

Posted by anoony on 16 March 2011 at 19:58 

It has got nothing to do with Japan and I think the appearance of the place where I live is important. We made it clear thatwe do not oppose the masts in principle and have suggested a number of alternative locations for consideration.

6

I can honestly say that after reading this article I feel ashamed to be a member of the LHRA!! I understand that they have recently improved the appearance of the estate entrance but to consider it acceptable to move a phone mast to a a childrens play area or the corner of a small cul-d-sac is a disgrace - I wonder if any of the members/comittee who proposed any of these possible new locations live on these streets or would be in view of the mast.....I guessing probably not!!

Posted by Lowry Hill Resident on 16 March 2011 at 19:12 

Despite being a member it is clear that you were not at the AGM for the association because there was unanimous agreement at the meeting that this location for the mast is unwelcome.
Neither of the descriptions of the alternatives suggested are accurate. The tarmac area is not a childrens play area. It is just a large piece of old tarmac which often has lots of glass on it.

The large area of rough ground at the back of Moorville drive is very rough and uncared for land.

7

Saw the acronym LHRA and instantly thought of another NIMBY

Posted by ian baillie on 16 March 2011 at 17:04 

See 2
8

I am not a resident of Lowery Hill but I do think there is an abundance of these masts in the area. There are 3 outside Morrisons another in the entrance of the Enterprise Spice and what looks like another near Austin Friars. I think the residents have a valid point to object to the proposed site but I do not agree with the options they suggest as an alternative.
Is it necessary that these masts have to be in a pin point location or could it be situated on the Kingstown estate half a mile up the road.

Posted by Andy Hill on 16 March 2011 at 16:39 

 Andy - if you look here you can see that they are targeting quite a small area

9

Lowry Hill residents just think when you have dinner party guests who have never been to carlisle just tell them to turn right at the phone mast, saves buying expensive Sat Navs!

Posted by Tony Millers on 16 March 2011 at 08:58 

In reply to Paulm, do you really think that 'research' is given to the placement of these masts? I go for your second option a man in a van who drives around looking for a nice piece of grass to build it on!

Posted by Terry Corbett on 16 March 2011 at 08:55 

All credit to WFS Telecom - they did do some research see here

10

If the entrance to Lowry Hill is one of the most attractive parts of the estate, why worry about spoiling it? newcomers will apparently be disillusioned soon enough! If long term health implications are still not known why on earth suggest putting it near a play area? Get a grip LH residents. If you want to live in the 21st century and have good mobile phone reception you have to pay the price, or perhaps you could ask for an invisible mast to be constructed especially for you.You are really showing yourselves up by refusing the mast.

Posted by city resident on 15 March 2011 at 22:13 

We were not "refusing a mast" we were suggesting that there are locations on the estate where the mast would be just as effective but have less aesthetic impact.

 11

I don't agree that it should be put at the "other side of the road", what difference would that make? and what about the people who live at the "other side of the road". By this suggestion, you are trying to move the unwanted forthcoming inconvenience onto the innocent people at the "other side of the road". How selfish!! So much for community spirit!! This is Lowry Hill not Beverley Hills!!

Posted by Carlisle Resident on 15 March 2011 at 20:12 

The location on the other side of the road is screened partly by trees so it would be less obtrusive and there are already the large control cabinets for the traffic lights present there.

12

you've gotta laugh at these people from lowry hill they always complain they didnt want bus stops so they got hail and ride they didnt want a road put between them and the belah estate beside the enterprise so it never got finished they get lovely big play areas for their children when everyone else is loosing theirs like other people have posted i bet they're the first to complain when they don't get a decent signal

Posted by anon on 15 March 2011 at 18:59 

I don't know the details  about the bus stop and the road. It may well be that the residents did not want the residential area to become a fast cut through.

We got a new play area but we were not the only area of Carlisle to have  a nice new play area. There was a considerable lack of decent play areas north of the river. It is simply not true to say that everyone else is losing theirs.

 13

"A large mast at this point will seriously damage the aesthetic impact of this entrance area"

it's a patch of grass next to a main road surrounded by 70's housing... I'm not seeing the view from Ashness Bridge here folks

Posted by martin on 15 March 2011 at 16:41 

Not Ashness bridge... true... but it is a very pleasant entrance to the estate and we have done a lot of work to make and keep it looking nice.

14

its not like lowry hill to complain dont want it there but hey heres a list o other places u can stick it if LOWRY HILL dont want it why suggest others you use the mobiles so DONT COMPLAIN when its situated in your back yard

Posted by john watson on 15 March 2011 at 16:18 

John. Two of the other possible locations are actually on the estate!

 15

Is there something special about Lowry Hill?,of course people living up there don't use mobiles do they!!, you will have to put up the the masts just like everyone else.

Posted by A Todd on 15 March 2011 at 16:18 

See 14.

 16

Well Done to the LHRA for their opposition on this. They have done a fantastic job improving Lowry Hill and looking after its residents.

Posted by Lowry Dan on 15 March 2011 at 16:14 

Thanks Dan!

17

Got to laugh at the 'alternatives'

'The other side of the road', or in otherwords NIMBY....
The person who asked about the 'long term health implications', how many years did they sit in front of the old Cathod Ray Tube (TV) without a second thought ?
These locations aren't just pulled out of thin air, there isn't a man in a van who drives around and says "that's a nice space to put a mast"
Have a look around the net, use Google, and look at Celular Radio distribution, it's a fine art to give mobile coverage - and the amount of complaints because it 'doesn't work in my house' is amazing. You realy can't have it both ways.
Now I could live without my mobile phone, but I'll bet at least half of the people objecting have a phone, and half of them will be on O2/Vodaphone. It just comes across as a little hypocritical to me.

Posted by Paulm on 15 March 2011 at 15:34 

See 2

Phone Mast Articles in the Local Newspapers.

There have been 2 reports on the Phone Mast issue in the local press:

1. Mixed reception for Lowry Hill mobile phone mast plan - here.
2. Angry Carlisle residents protest over phone mast plan - here.

Phone Mast discussion at the AGM

The phone mast was discussed at the AGM it was agreed by the overwhelming majority of members present that I should write to the planning office expressing our opposition to this particular location for the mast. The main entrance to the estate is one of the most attractive parts of the estate. A large mast at this point will seriously damage the aesthetic impact of this entrance area. We are not opposed to the mast as a matter of principle and several alternative locations were suggested. One member expressed opposition on the grounds that too little is known about the long term health implications.

Planning Permission for the New Mobile Phone Mast.

Many thanks to Alan Bell and the planning office for this information....


As I understand it..... it seems that within reason the mobile phone operators can put one of these masts where ever they like and there is very little that anyone can do to stop it happening. The planning office have their hands tied it seems by the law.

So much for the big society and localism!

We have identified a number of alternative sites and I will send a letter to the mobile phone companies and the planning office stating that while the majority of members do not object in principle to a mast to solve the problem of poor coverage on the estate we think that there are more suitable locations than the very attractive main entrance to the estate.

The diagram below indicates other possible locations.

1. The other side of the road next to the pedestrian crossing cabinet.
2. The other side of Kingstown road - I think this is unlikely to work due to the residential properties there.
3. The corner of the tarmac area at the end of Kershope road.
4. The corner of the rough land at the back of the Moorville Drive playing field.

If you have any thoughts about any of these please let me know.

 

I think the location number 1 is the best option.
The image below shows this location:

Letter from the Carlisle Planning Services.

Potholes

Please complete the form for any potholes - Click Here

Document from O2 and Vodaphone

CELL REF:     CS 018465 (O2 048983, VF TBC)

SITE NAME:  LOWRY HILL ROAD

ADDRESS:    GRASS VERGE ADJACENT TO WEST BOUND LANEWAY OF JOWRY HILL ROAD, KINGMOOR, CARLISLE, CA3 0DF

NGR:              339580E, 558693N

Designated Search Area & Discounted Site Information

 

The red lined area signifies the Designated Search Area within which a solution must be found in order to address the present coverage requirement in the most efficient manner.

1)    Existing “3” & T-Mobile sites (Cell Refs: CA0148 & 97245) Arqiva Tower (Ref: 94458) at land adjacent Lowry Gardens

NGR: 339360E, 558820N

Whilst we appreciate that both national and local planning policy suggest a preference for the use of established telecommunications sites, this particular mast is located beyond the northern boundary of the DSA and as such could not address the present coverage deficit in an efficient manner. Please also note that despite the above the mast could not be shared by our clients without an increase in height to separate the existing apparatus form that required in order to prevent interference and to achieve the necessary antenna heights. This would undoubtedly create a prominent focal point within a sensitive residential area. As such the use of the subject site and design was considered to offer a more appropriate solution from both a planning and operational perspective.

is already a dominant feature within the locale and

2)    Existing O2 site (Cell Ref: 004981) off Millbrook Road, Kingstown Industrial Estate

NGR: 339368E, 559278N

As you will appreciate, any telecommunications network operates through the joining of cell areas within which a solution must be found. This established base station is located too far north of the DSA to be able to address the present coverage requirement and is actually being considered as a solution for the adjoining cell area. As such it must be discounted on operational merit.

3)    St Peters Church, Kingstown Road

NGR: 339545E, 558902N

Whilst ecclesiastical properties are often used by telecommunications operators in order to install antennas within steeples/bell towers, this church does not benefit from any such features. Furthermore, it is well removed from the DSA. As a result, and with consideration for its low roof level, any development upon this building or even within its grounds could not address the present coverage requirement and must be discounted on operational merit.

4)    Commercial estate along Kingstown Broadway

NGR: Various

Despite offering the possibility of deploying infrastructure without any conflict with residential or sensitive viewpoints, this commercial estate is located too far north of the DSA to allow for any base station development to be able to address the present coverage requirement. As such, it must be discounted on operational merit.

5)    Kingmoor Junior School, Liddle Close

NGR: 339220E, 558560N

Located on the western periphery of the DSA, this large educational building was identified during a survey of the area. Whilst a new ground based mast could be deployed within the school grounds, proposals on educational properties only tend to be progressed as a last resort due to previous problems with community opposition and the resulting impact and disruption this tends to cause to the workings of the host property. As a result of the above, and given that the subject solution offers a viable planning option, the use of this property has been discounted. However, should the LPA wish us to investigate the potential use of this property further we would be happy to do so.

6)    New street furniture development adjacent to commercial properties, Hether Drive

NGR: 339133E, 558508N

This commercial parade adjacent to the aforementioned educational property offers the only mixed use pocket of note within close proximity of the DSA. Whilst there would be enough space to deploy a new street furniture base station at this location we would consider that this site would be overlooked by a larger number of residential frontages than the subject site. The potential impact upon residential amenity was considered to be greater at this location and as such this option has been discounted as being less appropriate from a planning perspective.

7)    Recreational ground west of Moorville Drive

NGR: Various

Whilst this large recreational ground would undoubtedly have space for a new base station development its location well beyond the southern boundaries of the DSA along with a slight decrease in topographical level would prevent any solution from being able to address the present coverage requirement. As such this option must be discounted on operational merit.

8)    New street furniture development within central residential area (including Liddle Close, Naworth Drive, Sanderson Close, St Peter’s Drive, Ritson Close)

NGR: Various

Limited pavement/verge widths and the presence of both underground and over head services all place serious limitations on potential site options for a new street furniture development. Those that are available have residential properties located on both sides of the road and offer little screening or back drop to any potential development option. It is therefore considered that any base station development within this area would have a greater degree of impact upon residential amenity than the subject solution and as such this option has been discounted as being less appropriate than the subject solution on planning merit.

9)    New street furniture development along Kingstown Road

NGR: Various

As above

10) New street furniture development within residential area west and north west of DSA (including Lowry Hill Road W, Hether Drive, Sark Close, Netherby Drive, Lowry Close)

NGR: Various

Similar to the above, limited options are available with any potentially viable site being directly overlooked by a larger number of residential frontages when compared with the subject site. Furthermore, due to the removed location west of the DSA, any development would not offer an efficient coverage solution. As such, this option has been discounted on planning and operational merit.

11) Any development east of Kingstown Road

NGR: Various

As above

Response from O2 and Vodafone

Dear Mr Rowell

Thank you for your email concerning our proposed mobile phone base station at Lowery Hill Road, Kingmoor.  You wrote to our agent, Mr Jodie Kane of WFS Telecom.  Your email has been passed to the Cornerstone Team to respond.

Firstly, may I say, we are committed to investing to ensure that O2 and Vodafone customers who live and work in Kingmoor can benefit from a mobile phone network they can rely upon.  Our agent has made a detailed analysis of the area and found this to be the most suitable site for current and future coverage and capacity whilst blending with the streetscape.  Customers who use mobile data and smart phone handsets require good 3G mobile network coverage.  As a slim-line column our equipment will blend with other street furniture items, such as lighting columns. 

Answers to your specific questions are given below.

Mobile phones have become an essential part of everyday life for the vast majority of people in the UK. O2 and Vodafone’s network development is largely determined by consumer demand. Customers wish to be able to use their phones wherever they are and we understand that this demand must be met with a responsible approach to network development. As you may appreciate, it can at times be difficult to balance the needs of our customers with the views of residents, who often own mobile phones but do not want to have masts located in their communities. 

We recognise there are concerns from some members of the public about the safety of mobile phones and masts. However, the World Health Organization and most scientists agree that there is no evidence to suggest a link between mobile phones or masts and ill health. It is also our policy to be fully compliant with the detail and the spirit of the Code of Best Practice on Mobile Phone Network Development. Equally, masts are essential infrastructure and we have a duty to meet the needs of the silent majority who want to use their mobile phones and accept that mobile phones require mobile phone masts.

Attached are three documents, one on how mobile phones work, the second contains information on health-related issues and the third is from the World Health Organisation, for your information.

Further information can be found on the following websites:

•           http://www.mobilemastinfo.com/information/intro.htm

•           http://www.hpa.org.uk/

•           http://www.who.int/mediacentre/factsheets/fs304/en/index.html

Thank you once again for your email.  Should you would wish to discuss our proposal further please contact either myself or our Regional Communications Manager,  Tom Powell on 07980 868 001 (tom.powell@cornerstonemobile.net).

Regards

Kevin Hull

EMF Enquiries - Member of the Cornerstone Team  and

Employee of Telefónica O2 UK Ltd

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

1330 The Exchange

Arlington Business Park

Theale, Berks, RG7 4SA

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Tel. 01753 564 306 Mbl 07764 658 537 Fax 01635 673 890

Network Infrastructure Share O2 & Vodafone

O2 and Vodafone have formed a project called Cornerstone, whereby both operators share new and existing mobile phone base stations.  This will allow an improvement in network coverage for customers, whilst minimising the number of new sites required.  Our focus, at present, is on improving network coverage to cities, large towns, and other urban areas. 

Is it possible to block a mast installation

One resident sent this link:
Sunderland Echo

OfCom Sitefinder

This tool allows base stations to be located according to a postcode.
www.sitefinder.ofcom.org.uk

Second Response from WFS

Dear Sir,

May I apologise for the delay in the operators’ response to your initial correspondence.

I can, however, confirm that the matter is in hand and that one of the community liaison managers will be in touch with you at the earliest opportunity

Thanks for you patience

Jodie

Second Email to WFS after no response from O2 or Vodafone

Jodie,

I have not heard anything from o2 and Vodafone yet and I think the closing
date for comments is today or tomorrow.

We cannot really comment as a residents association without answers to the
questions I posed in my first email... namely...


1. Can you explain the level of flexibility regarding the location of the
base
station?

In other words as far as functionality is concerned could it be put
anywhere
in a 5km radius or must it be placed within a particular 500m radius?

2. Can you explain the requirment for access to street services. Must it be
actually on the main Kingstown Road or are there other roads on which it
could be sited with minimal implications in terms of cost?

Many thanks for your help,

Andrew Rowell
Chairman
Lowry Hill Residents Association

Response from WFS to first Email

Dear Sir,

Thank you for your email.

O2 and Vodafone’s community liaison team have requested that all responses be forwarded to them in order that they may in turn address any issues raised directly. A member of their management team will be in touch with you at the earliest opportunity.

Regards

Jodie

Initial Email in response to WFS letter

Dear Jodie,

I am the chairman of the Lowry Hill Residents Association.
I have been informed by residents on the estate of a pre-application
consultation with local community regarding a proposed telecom base station.

I would like to put a piece in the local newsletter regarding this and would
like to get my facts correct.

I have copies of the information sent to the residents of the estate
immediately adjacent to the proposed development.

Can you explain the level of flexibility regarding the location of the base
station?

In other words as far as functionality is concerned could it be put anywhere
in a 5km radius or must it be placed within a particular 500m radius?

Can you explain the requirment for access to street services. Must it be
actually on the main Kingstown Road or are there other roads on which it
could be sited with minimal implications in terms of cost?

Have you got a reasonable quality image of the base station that you intend
to site here?

Many thanks for your help with this,

Andrew Rowell

Lowry Hill Residents Association
Carlisle

Questionnaire

The questionnaire for your comments is here.

A 12.5 metre 3G Mobile Phone mast at the entrance to the estate?

On the 1^st February a number of residents have received consultation letters from WFS (a company which installs telecoms equipment for Vodafone and O2) about a possible 12.5m 3G mobile phone base station installation. This base station is proposed for the site shown in the image above- the main entrance to our estate. The deadline (15^th February)  for the receipt of comments concerning this “pre-application consultation” will be passed before you receive this newsletter. However there will need to be a proper planning application submitted and passed before this installation can go ahead. I would like to submit a response on behalf of the residents association and would therefore welcome your comments about this proposal. Of course you should also submit your own comments to the local council planning meeting. To enable the easier collection of comments I have set up a form to allow you to submit your comments on the Lowry Hill residents association website (www.lhra.org.uk) You can also see images of the proposed planning application there. Alternatively you can send me your comments by email (lhrablog@gmail.com) or by post (226, Lowry Hill Road, Carlisle CA3 0EG) …or drop them round to me.

WFS telecom Ltd Documents

These are images of the WFS Documents: