PLANS to erect a mobile phone mast at the entrance to a Downpatrick housing estate have met with firm opposition from a large group of residents.

The community of Orchard Way and the Strangford Road met at the weekend to send a defiant message to mobile phone company Vodaphone and Planners; who they feel have not exhausted other possible sites in the area for the mast.

The community also argued that they were not properly consulted on plans
to erect a mast on the only remaining piece of greenery at the entrance to
the estate, with only a handful of households receiving notification.

During the SDLP public meeting attended by the MP Eddie McGrady Cllr McGrath & Cllr Doris residents voiced concerns about the health implications of the structure and were also opposed to it on the grounds that it would be a unsightly addition to an area of natural beauty.

Resident John McCann said he ‘deplored’ the idea. “It will be a complete eyesore and I have great concerns about the health implications of such a mast in the heart of the community,” he said.

Other residents including Philip McIntosh felt it would be completely out of character in the area. “We feel that it would be completely the wrong place,” he said. ”It could just as easily go somewhere else. As far as I can tell little consideration has been given to other possible sites.”

Mother of two Annemarie Williams said there was scant regard for the young children living and playing in the area who would be exposed to unnecessary health risks.

Addressing the meeting was MP for South Down Mr Eddie McGrady

who echoed the views of local residents.

” This has been a controversial issue and we have continually fought with planners on this issue for over a year. This mast was first proposed in October 2008 and the application subsequently withdrawn in December 2008 only to be re-submitted in March 2009. Planning adopted the line of hiding behind the policy that mast such as these are deemed acceptable. This is a Residential area and if there is a need for such a mast it must be located in another area not in a residential area”

Representing the residents on the issue SDLP Councillor Colin McGrath spoke with the mobile phone giant Vodaphone asking that they investigate other more suitable sites along the Strangford Road. “They said they would investigate but they didn’t change their original site,” he said. “I asked the planners at August council if they had assessed all the possible sites and they told me they had not and as such they would remove it from the schedule to investigate all possible options.”

Addressing the delegation of residents from Orchard Way at the weekend Councillor Colin McGrath said that although it would be difficult to overturn planning approval it was important that they made a stand against the proposals, and called upon planners to be more mindful about granting permission for masts in the future.

“We want planners to think through the ramifications of their approval,” said Councillor McGrath. “Their decisions have an impact upon communities. It is imperative that planners begin to examine cases closer rather then accepting companies word on
such planning matters.

“I feel strongly that the communities views and concerns be listened to.”

Ends