EAST Hampshire District Council has threatened a telecommunications com-pany with legal action after the sudden appearance of unauthorised telephone masts in the district.
The district council has also taken the unusual step of asking residents to keep a look-out for these masts suddenly appearing and to inform the council immediately.
The masts are being erected by Airwave O2 Airwave for the Terrestrial Trunked Radio System, Tetra, a state-of-the-art communications system for the emergency services.
Bramshott and Liphook district councillor Sam James said: ÒWe have had two incidents very recently of unapproved masts appearing almost overnight.
ÒOne, which many Liphook residents may have noticed, is on land adjacent to the Beaver Industrial Estate opposite our village green. Action is being taken against this mast, which does not have planning permission.
ÒSo if you see a new mast popping up in East Hampshire please ring the district council and tell the planning department.Ó
As The Herald went to press EHDC issued the following statement:
ÒPrior to threatening to take injunctive proceedings stop notices and enforcement notices were served on the developer for erecting unauthorised telecommunication masts at Woodcroft Farm, Chalton and at Beavers Industrial Estate, Liphook.
ÒIt was subsequently found, following the service of these notices, that a further telecommunications mast had been erected by this developer at Chawton.
ÒIn the light of the continuing breaches of planning control by this developer, it was considered by the council that nothing short of an injunction would restrain the developer from carrying out similar unauthorised developments within the district.
ÒThe developer was advised of the intention of the council to seek an injunction in the courts unless an undertaking was given that they would not erect any further telecommuni-cations masts or equipment within the district of East Hampshire without first obtaining planning permission; that they cease transmitting from the three unauthorised sites; and that they dismantle the masts and associated equipment.
ÒThe developer has given such an undertaking. Therefore, it has not been necessary, for the time being, to proceed with the injunction against this developer.
However, the situation is being closely monitored by the councilÕs planning enforcement team. They have made a request that if any member of the public becomes aware of a telecommunication mast being erected in their area, they contact them on 01730 234242.
The countyÕs planning portfolio holder, Patrick Burridge, said: ÒWhere development takes place without planning permission, and is harmful to the environment, robust action will be taken by the council to bring about its swift cessation. This should be a warning to any other developer that seeks to undertake development within the district which is unacceptableÓ.
Peter Sitch, a spokesman for 02 Airwave, told The Herald: ÒThe Airwave system is a vital piece of new communications replacing 30-year-old technology which has been specified to provide an integrated communications system for UK police forces.
ÒIt is vital for its success in protecting life and property in Hampshire that a full system of antennas is implemented as soon as possible. We are considering the actions of EHDC and will be responding to them in the very near future.Ó
As reported in The Herald last week EHDC has already written to the government minister for housing and planning asking for clarification on the guidelines, and pointing out the great concern there is in the district. The district council has asked for a moratorium on constructing masts until more research is carried out.
Liss residents, who have been in the forefront of the campaign to raise awareness about the Tetra system, will be holding a public meeting at the Triangle Community Centre, Liss, on October 26 at 6 pm.