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A Glasgow citizens’ organisation is struggling to avoid the installation of a giant 5G mast of 18 meters a few meters from its homes.
The consulting mast is located in the vicinity of Riverford Road to Shawlands.
After citizens were informed of the plans for the new mast, which is being installed through the cellular network operator and Internet Service Provider EE, 10 official objections were filed along with other complaints.
The mast will dominate the townhouses on Auldhouse Road and near Auldhouse Park and will be twice as high as a street light pole.
However, citizens were surprised to obtain a one-line reaction from Glasgow City Council informing them that the facility would continue and that prior approval of the mast is “not necessary”.
Local resident Eilidh McDonald said: “The first notification we won on June 11, when we beat an officer making plans for the mast.
“The original plan was that it would be 20 m high and that it would be almost at the back of our garden.
“He terrorized us. But the opinion said we could object if we answered in writing.
“That’s what we did, objecting that the mast would have a massive effect on the visual comforts of our homes and the park, and on the herbal atmosphere.
“Then, a month later, we obtained a letter from a line informing us that authorization had been granted and that no prior approval was required.
“It seems as though we were allowed to object but that EE just doesn’t have to listen.”
In correspondence with residents, Glasgow City Council planners stated that they had raised their considerations with the US and asked the company whether the monopoly could move beyond Riverford Road, away from any apartment and where an existing cell mast has recently been installed.
However, EE rejected this and told board planners that the new site is “the optimal site, in terms of residential services, pavement width, underground services, and is in a location that allows for physical construction.”
The old mast on Riverford Road will be removed, however, EE said it cannot be replaced through the new mast on the same site because “emergency facilities are employing the EE network and this would mean that the structure has lost policy in this mobile area.” “
A concession was made, which the new mast would now be 18 m high, only two meters smaller than the originally proposed 20 m mast.
Any further attempts by citizens to talk about a more suitable location for the mast were ignored through the US, as were their additional questions and were alarmed to see a pod vehicle moving to the site this week.
Eilidh explained: “It turns out that Glasgow City Council has just accepted the US word that it is the ‘optimal site’ without further consultation or discussion. But it’s not optimal for us.
“We do not oppose 5G. We perceive why it is under structure and the benefits of 5G, as well as greater policy and connectivity. We agree with all this, this is not a 5G conspiracy, but the mast will be 18 meters high, it is twice the length of a light pole and will be almost in our back gardens.
“Is there no transitional solution for the canopy that can be placed in the repositioning position of the old mast? We may not even ask ourselves that question. EE chose this location because it is the simplest, cheapest and most productive for them. And Glasgow’s plan-making service allows them to advance their business interests to the well-being of residents.
“We don’t have the cash or the resources of the US to combat this. We feel so powerless.
“We are concerned that the new mast will be built and installed before we get any answers.
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A Glasgow City Council spokesman said: “The council recognizes the importance of new telecommunications infrastructure to contribute to economic development, maintain the city’s competitiveness and the functioning of local and commercial businesses.”
“At the same time, it also identifies that secure telecommunications infrastructure can have significant visual impacts. Lately we are receiving a lot of pre-approval programs for floor monopolies, cabinets and related paints that will facilitate deployment. 5G throughout the city.
These proposals sometimes gain advantages by making the rights of the plans legal in law (in certain dimensions and outdoor conservation areas), however, the operator will first have to inform the authority that makes the plans through the prior notification process, which is then sent to the neighbor. for notification. The selection of the location and design of the site The mast is taken into account through the drawing manager, as well as its dimensions, according to the law, then a balanced resolution is taken, based on all the data received.
In this particular case, the operator thought of features for the installation of this mast and cabinets within the limits of the mobile domain where the 5G policy is required, and this site proved to be the maximum appropriate solution in terms of safety, accessibility, pavement width, limitations of underground application and residential and visual equipment.
“The problems raised in the letters of objection obtained from local citizens were taken into account when deciphering this application, however, in general, no other more suitable location was known in this dense urban domain that would not have had greater impacts on the amenities. , agreed to reduce the total mast height to 18 meters instead of 20 meters.
Ee has been looking for feedback.