Penally residents who have been fighting against a telecommunications company siting a mast near a holiday home for disabled children were given a boost this week when members of Pembrokeshire County Council's planning and rights of way committee voted to defer the application. Ever since the application by telecommunications giant MM02 to site a Tetra mast to be used for police communications at a site at The Ridgeway was submitted, locals have strongly opposed the idea, believing that it would be detrimental to the area. Their main concerns however have been the impact it could have on the nearby Harriet Davis 'Wheelabout House' nearby, seriously jeopardising the future of the charity which provides holidays for disabled children and their carers. County council planners had previously refused a similar application for a telecommunications mast at Uzmaston, but their decision was overturned by the planning inspectorate and the company MM02 were rewarded costs. Officers had recommended approval for the Penally application, following a site meeting in April. They also sought expert advice over health issues which such a mast may pose. County Councillor Mrs. Carol Cavill, who represents Penally, addressed the committee over the matter, urging them to refuse the application. "I can't see how it would be possible for this committee to approve this application when they refused the Uzmaston one," she remarked on Tuesday. "Another mast would prove seriously detrimental not only to the area of Penally, but the impact it would have on the nearby 'Wheelabout House' would be devasting and could put the whole Trust in jeopardy. "The mast's siting could reduce the amount of families using the house by 25 per cent, so please, I beg of you to refuse this application today," she added. Committee member, Clr. Malcom Calver, felt that a common sense approach was called for. "Although I understand and accept the need for a mast in the area, I think that this location is too close to the Harriet Davis site," he said. "The most sensible solution would be to go back to the developers and ask them to look at an alternative site at least 300-metres away from the 'Wheelabout House'," he suggested, proposing that the decision be deferred. Fellow member, Clr. Henry Jones, seconded the proposal. "This mast would have unacceptable impact on the amenity of the area. I would like to see how many of the alternative sites proposed give adequate coverage, as I do not believe that enough facts have been put in front of us today to make a decision," commented Clr. Jones. Fifteen committee members voted in favour of a deferment so that officers could go back to the developers to see if they could consider an alternative site for the mast.
