URGENT -Extension to Phone mast on 149 Nightingale Lane near Wandsworth Common Post Reply

[forfun]

I want to bring to everyones attention that there is a new planning application to Wandsworth Council  [application no: 2018/5807 ] for 4 new street equipment cabinets and an extension to higher the existing phone mast outside 149 Nightingale Lane near the bus stop, from 12.5 m to the new height of 15 m .It already towers over the surrounding trees and buildings  ,and if increased it will be seen very visibly by more residents in this green conservation area.These extra 3 cabinets will mean more street clutter and with the mast , will look incongruous and visually intrusive with the surroundings. Telefonica have been trying to get this through every few years since 2007, when we met and  discussed with them at length, to try to re-site  the mast and urge them to find a better solution for all-but we are always ignored.These masts are usually sited well away from residential and school buildings/ areas . Somehow this mast got passed at appeal several years ago and since then, has sadly set a precedent for them to keep applying for a higher mast, wider shrouds and even more cabinets since the mast was erected.This mast should never have  been passed in the first place,in a conservation area ,and should have been sited well away in a more suitable place such as the train station. This is not the most beneficial place for good reception and therefore will most certainly be replaced by an even higher mast in the near future if this gets permission. We have until the 24th Jan to make our comments known and to try to protect our residential area, pathways ,common and conservation area. 
Here is the link to the planning page: 
https://planning.wandsworth.gov.uk/WAM/ ... =2018/5807

[Denwand]

It has been mentioned on here before that Nightingale Lane is a mobile phone blackspot.

Nobody wants a mast outside their house naturally but everybody wants good mobile phone reception.

How do we square that circle?

[forfun]

You are correct that there are some blackspot areas along parts of Nightingale Lane [generally further up the hill near Clapham South end] which is why it doesn't give enough coverage. We were told that the most effective spot is where St Lukes church is, as a half way point , but ofcourse this is not understandably wanted by the church or school. The mast was sited where it could get permission easily and NOT where it would be most effective ,thus needing it to be taller than most masts that are erected in the area. Local residents have brought this to the phone companies attention over the last few years and many other very good suggestions have been submitted with the help of councillors to try to relocate to a better site ,so that residents are given better coverage with the least enviromental impact . Sadly this has always been rejected with no relevant reason from Telefonica. This is indeed a difficult problem that needs to be addressed properly for everyone, and not just a case of them ignoring the fact that by making the mast higher will be the end to this problem. This will be the start to having it made higher again in the future until at whatever height and width they wish it to be to become most effective. 

[Sarah McDermott]

We Nightingale councillors are on the case. We are putting out leaflets alerting local residents to the application and posting on Twitter and Facebook.

We had a meeting a couple of years ago to agree an alternative site adjacent to the railway bridge so we are surprised that the application is back for an extended mast on the current site.

Applications for taller masts have been refused on the current site and appeals withdrawn. The only thing that may have changed is the relaxation of national guidance on mobile masts. We are in discussions with planning officers. 

In the meantime please submit your comments to Wandsworth Council planning portal 2018/5807 

Cllrs Sarah McDermott, Richard Field and Ian Hart