Villagers Outraged at Plans for 46ft Mast

Residents in the village of Rufford are up in arms over an application to build a 14-metre (46ft) high radio wave antenna in the middle of their village.

Arqiva have submitted an application to build the mast at the telephone exchange on Liverpool Road. It would provide coverage for Arqiva's planned smart metering network.

In recent years planners turned down an application made by BT for a 14-metre microwave transmitting mast at the same location.

Speaking on behalf of residents, Mike Garrity said:

"There is a loophole in the regulations that BT are exploiting. The telephone exchange site is not included in the conservation area, despite being surrounded by it. The letters sent by the planners have only gone to a few houses around the site. However, all the people in the village will be affected by this development if it goes ahead."

A spokeswoman for Arqiva responded:

"Arqiva can confirm that we have put in a full planning application for a slim monopole mast to be erected at this telephone exchange which is within the Rufford Park conservation area, not outside it.

"The top of the mast and the omni antenna have to be above the tree line in order for the technology to work, however we included photo montages and an arboricultural survey with our application which will enable the planning authority to make a fair and realistic assessment of the impact."

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