Two mast plans get ko, but two more given the green light in Rutherglen and Cambuslang

May 25 2011 by Douglas Dickie, Rutherglen Reformer

COUNCILLORS have rejected plans for two phone masts in the Rutherglen and Cambuslang area.

But, at the same meeting, they gave the go-ahead for another two to be constructed despite local opposition.

Members of the Cambuslang and Rutherglen Area Committee agreed yesterday (Tuesday) with officers that the plans for a 15 metre mast on the junction of Northbank Street and Westburn Road in Cambuslang, and a 12.5 metre mast on Rutherglen Main Street, opposite from McCallum Avenue, did not meet planning criteria.

But they were happy for the erection of 15 metre masts on Stonelaw Road in Burnside and Mill Road in Cambuslang to proceed.

Amazingly, the two proposals that were accepted drew 11 objection letters, as well as opposition from a community council, while the two that were rejected prompted just four letters, although one contained a petition signed by 19 people.

The masts are all part of a joint O2 and Vodafone venture to share telecommunications equipment in the future.

A series of proposals last year prompted outrage from community groups, with the companies saying the masts were needed to improve 3G coverage in the Rutherglen and Cambuslang area.

Councillors were advised by Colin McDowall, head of Enterprise Resources, that the concerns raised by people living near the two masts that were given the green light were not “considered to merit refusal of the application.”

Issues raised included lack of public consultation, the impact on the areas, fears that the mast would attract vandalism, safety fears and health concerns.

Mr McDowall did advise councillors to reject the masts on Main Street and Northbank Street because they didn’t comply with the Local Plan or government guidance on the siting of phone masts.

Speaking about the objections from locals, he said: “Some of the points raised merit the refusal of the application.”

In Burnside, anger was considerable, with locals complaining the area had been “inundated with such proposals.”

Burnside Community Council secretary, Malcolm Piggot, said public disappointment had been increased after representatives from Cornerstone, the joint venture between the two mobile giants failed to attend a public meeting in February.

On hearing that the Stonelaw Road mast had been given approval, he said: “The whole area is up in arms about this. It’s just another visual intrusion on our already cluttered environment.

“It’s just absolute arrogance. There has been no proper public consultation. Applications are just being made over our heads and we still have no explanation why there is a need for so many.”