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Community News
4G masts rejected at council planning committee

The planning committee held groups.
at Swindon Civic Offices on 9 The meeting was informed that
February voted to refuse five 4G interest remains from Virgin
masts for prior approval, dealing Media and that BT Openreach
a blow to Swindon Borough were starting a trial in Oakhurst of
Council’s plans to bring superfast their latest Fibre To The Premises
wireless broadband coverage to the technology. Cllr Vera Tomlinson
borough. also read a statement on behalf The council have a partnership with UKB Networks to bring a 4G LTE
The 4G LTE network has provided of North Swindon MP Justin network to the town, a deal worth £2m.
benefits for rural residents but in Tomlinson which explained his
North Swindon people are adamant opposition to the 4G scheme in its reconsider their position.” UKB Networks have issued the
the service is nullifying interest entirety, which can be read on our Cllr Toby Elliott said: “As I following statement:
from other companies such as website: www.swindonlink.com repeatedly stated in the meeting, “We are disappointed that the
Virgin and their fibre broadband Repeatedly the committee tonight was about the masts, not planning committee feels the
options, and made their grievances was informed that the masts the 4G scheme in general. These way it does about the provision
known at the Planning Committee go against several elements of five proposed locations were clearly of superfast broadband in North
meeting. Swindon Borough Council’s Local inappropriate, and I am glad the Swindon.
Planning officers recommended Plan and the placement of the committee listened to the local “We are pleased that the rest of
that masts in Aiken Road, Taw masts was consistently challenged, people. the borough is more receptive and
Hill; Cassini Drive, Oakhurst and with points along Thamesdown “My door is always open to UKB we are really encouraged by the
Redhouse Way be given prior Drive being suggested by Cllr Networks to discuss alternatives.” numerous messages of support we
approval, but recommended that Elliott stating that UKB Networks Reflecting on the planning have had. We remain committed to
the same type of masts be rejected ‘had not properly considered committee decision, Cllr Martin North Swindon and will be talking
at Eastbury Way, Redhouse and Thamesdown Drive with a six mast said: “I am personally disappointed with ward councillors and residents
Polonez Court, Haydon End but plan’, a statement refuted by their that the committee did not go with in the coming weeks to find an
they were all refused. representative Graham Currier. the officers’ recommendations. UKB amicable solution to this issue.”
The meeting opened with a Harriet Maltby, a Priory Vale Networks will now have to go away Cllr Elliot later took to Twitter
presentation from Conservative resident and member of the anti- and consider alternative mast sites. to state that: “UKB have made
Councillor Mary Martin, Cabinet 4G community group spoke during “With the mixture of speakers, we a factually and legally incorrect
Member for Corporate, Customer the meeting and said afterwards: were always going to get leakage statement. Planning committee
and Digital Services, which was “This is a significant win for the of personal views into the meeting voted on the mast locations not
met with outcries from opposition community. We hope UKB Networks regarding the 4G scheme.” the scheme.”

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6 swindonlink.com n March 2016