This Is Guernsey

By Nigel Baudains

THE Environment Department has received two petitions in as many days opposing proposed mobile phone installations. Minister David De Lisle was yesterday handed a document signed by 57 Torteval householders, objecting to Guernsey Airtel plans to erect a 56ft high mast off Rue du Planel.

A second petition, signed by 250 people, objects to an application to put another antenna on an existing mast in St Martin’s.

Nicholas Drake, who with John Bracegirdle organised the Torteval petition, urged Deputy De Lisle to ask his department to reject the plans.

‘If your department allows this application to go through in the face of such overwhelming opposition, you will be making a mockery of the planning application process and falling short of your responsibility to protect the environment,’ he said.

Dean Pat Le Tocq said that Torteval douzaine was supporting the campaigners.

‘We are 100% against any applications for new masts in the parish and we will fight them vigorously,’ he said.

‘It’s our determination to keep Torteval rural and we will support any people within the vicinity of proposed masts.’

The landowner of the site in question said this week that he had withdrawn his permission for the application to proceed further and that the area was now up for sale.

Deputy De Lisle acknowledged receipt of a letter but would not divulge its contents.

‘I can confirm that the department has received a letter from the landowner concerned,’ he said. ‘It will be writing to the applicant on this basis, following which all third party representatives will be advised in writing of the position,’ he said.

About 30 people gathered at Frossard House to see the petition handed in.

Among them was Ivan Roberts, who is objecting to additional mobile phone antennae that have been put on the water tower next to his Forest Road home.

‘I think these people have been very fortunate as they were able to act on it straight away with support from deputies and the douzaine,’ he said.

‘But this development is on private land and the water tower belongs to the government.’

The St Martin’s application by Airtel is to mount another antenna on a Wave Telecom mast at Westwood Vineries, Rue au Cammu.

Michael Kinnersly and Moira Le Huray of the No More Masts campaign group collected the signatures on the petition that was handed to the department’s planning section on Monday.

Article posted on 30th January, 2008 - 12.00am