Controversial phone mast proposal is on hold

Jan 22 2010 by David Black, The Journal

A CONTROVERSIAL plan for a mobile phone mast outside a popular Northumberland school has been formally put on hold – as pressure grows from politicians and the local community to find a less sensitive site.

Bosses at Telefonica O2 have shelved the bid to put the 12.5m-high mast next to the 450-pupil first school in Darras Hall, Ponteland for the time being, pending further discussions aimed at finding a compromise solution.

The latest move follows interventions by North East Liberal Democrat MEP Fiona Hall and Hexham Conservative MP Peter Atkinson, who are supporting hundreds of local parents and residents opposed to the mast going up in The Broadway.

Yesterday 02 said it will now meet Ms Hall and Mr Atkinson to talk about their concerns and potential alternative sites put forward by residents.

The company also said it will hold its first face-to-face meetings with local campaigners if they want one.

The developments signify a softening in O2’s attitude to the issue, after it said in December it had been left with no alternative but to press ahead with building the mast next to the school within a couple of months.

Yesterday Fiona Hall said: “I share the concerns of local residents about the proposed O2 phone mast in Darras Hall. I have been in touch with O2 who have agreed to set up a meeting between the company and local campaigners to consider alternative locations for a new mast. In the meantime, O2 have agreed to put the site on hold, which is a positive step forward.”