OSSETT councillors are calling on residents to block plans for a mobile phone mast – earmarked for a site close to a primary school.
Wakefield Council has received an application from T-Mobile (UK) Ltd to place a telegraph pole-style mast on land at Royds Mill, Leeds Road, around 150 metres from Gawthorpe J&I School and nursery.
But councillors are worried about the potentia
l effects of the 10m-high pole and antenna.
Coun Elizabeth Knowles said: “Considering that the council does not permit any masts on any of their buildings, including schools, I think they should listen to people’s calls for this mast not to go ahead so close to Gawthorpe J&I School.”
Coun Alec Metcalf added: “They couldn’t have chosen a worse place. Many of the local residents are very concerned about it and I know the school isn’t too happy either.
“I am urging people to write to the council and object to this proposal.”
A spokesperson for T-Mobile (UK) Ltd said: “This is a carefully planned and sensitively designed project. We have had discussions with the local authority and explored alternative options.
“We have written to the nearest school and the local councillor, but have yet to hear anything. The consultation on this site is of course on-going and we would welcome further discussions.”
Sue Vickerman, headteacher at Gawthorpe J&I School, added: “The school is very concerned about the close proximity of the proposed structure.”
