Write a commentNewry and Armagh MLA Dominic Bradley has welcomed the refusal of planning permission for a Vodafone telecommunications mast on Doran's Hill, Barcroft.
The Planning Appeals Commission has dismissed an appeal from Vodafone after an application for permission to erect a 10 metre high telecommunications mast in the area was reject this Summer.
SDLP representative, Dominic Bradley was the only public representative who attended the appeal hearing at the proposed location of the mast in September and was also the only public representative to submit a statement of case to the commission on behalf of residents.
Mr Bradley also joined SDLP Councillors and Barcroft residents at a meeting with planners at Newry Arts Centre earlier this year.
Speaking after being informed of the Appeals Commission's decision, Mr Bradley said the news would be welcomed by the entire Barcroft Community. "This is an issue which has united all residents of Barcroft under the banner of protest. There was a lot of concern among these residents and anger at Vodafone's attempt to force on this community something they simply didn't want. This resulted in a major letter writing campaign by residents and much lobbying by myself and my SDLP colleagues.
"There was a very clear argument against allowing this mast to be erected in such a heavily populated residential location and the residents of Barcroft have won the day. My SDLP colleagues and I are pleased to have worked with residents in this matter and we congratulate them on their victory.
"The proposed location was in very close proximity to people's homes and was totally against the wishes of residents as it would have detracted from the appearance of the area. Newry and Mourne Council has recommended that masts should not be located less than 500m from residential properties. This is now common practice in locating these masts, but it is a practice Vodafone attempted to ignore.
“One of the major concerns which people had was around the possible ill-effects on health of EMFs (electro-magnetic fields) emulating from telecommunications masts. It was my view that a precautionary approach should be followed in relation to this application and that Vodafone should not be granted permission,” he added.
“I am pleased that common sense and people power has won the day and plans to erect a mast at this location have finally been binned."
