Protest continues

A public meeting was held in the Downsway garden of leading objector Rod Hotton last Wednesday evening.

It was attended by about 150 residents from Downsway, Upper Shoreham Road, The Drive, Oxen Avenue, Newtimber Gardens and other neighbouring roads.

T-Mobile wants to put up an 11.7-metre G3 transmitter mast on a plot of land at the junction of Downsway and Upper Shoreham Road, north Shoreham.

The plan was reported on the front page of the Shoreham Herald last week.

Mr Hotton told residents at the meeting: "T-Mobile appears to be putting profit before people, especially when one considers that the terms of the operating licence do not require 100 per cent coverage or, indeed, any coverage in the town."

He spoke about the mast causing health problems, it being too close to homes and a school route, and fears that once the transmitter was up, other mobile phone companies could add dishes to it.

Residents were invited to complete forms of objection and more than 70 collected at the meeting will be hand-delivered to Adur council.

According to current legislation, phone masts under 15 metres do not need planning permission. The district council can only object.

After the meeting, Mr Hotton said: "Anyone can write to the council objecting about the application and to the local MP Tim Loughton. The deadline for objections to the council is June 21, before it goes before the planning committee on July 2, so the clock is ticking. We need to make ourselves heard.

"The campaign group has decided to call itself Shoreham Community Residents Against Masts. A small war cabinet of residents has been formed and a fighting fund set up to cover expenses.

"This cabinet is empowered to take decisions and to respond rapidly to this threat to the quiet enjoyment of homes in the area.

"A database of concerned residents is being compiled and many have indicated that they have special skills that can be called upon at any time."

Anyone wishing to join the campaign or who can offer help and advice is asked to contact Mr Hotton on 01273 463994.