Phone Mast proposal for verge at West Molesey Recreation Ground

The proposed mast is 25 metres high – this is an enormous mast!  It will be approximately three times as tall as the houses close by it and it will protrude 6 or 7 metres above the very tall horse chestnut tree next to the proposed mast.

From the planning application it can be seen that the mast will have two communication ‘dishes’ mounted near the top and will be set on a concrete base approximately 12 metres long, together with 4 large metal cabinets and 1 smaller cabinet.  All to be situated on the verge next to the West Molesey Recreation Ground!

The MRA are concerned the installation will be very unsightly right next to the green space of the recreation ground and may contravene environmental guidelines.  It is the view of the MRA that if this installation is really necessary it should be re-sited away from residential and children’s play areas.

There are already other phone mast installations in suitable areas close by and it would seem sensible to put any new masts there.   There are such installations on the Molesey factory estate and between the reservoirs further west along Walton Road, both of which sites are away from residential or children’s play areas.    Further, not far away (and 11 metres higher), are the installations on top of the Thames Court tower block on Hurst Park which are presumably causing no problems at the moment.

The MRA understand that other, much smaller, installations have been refused in the area in the past for all the reasons above.   We will keep residents updated.

Published on Monday, June 29th, 2015
in General Interest