Call to ditch mast bid branded an arch enemy

Published on Saturday 8 January 2005 13:15

PLANS to erect a mobile phone mast in the shadow of a historic arch have sparked anger.

T-Mobile wants to install the mast beside the category B-listed Harrison Arch on the Capital’s Observatory Road, at the foot of Blackford Hill.

But the proposal has raised fears the mast will spoil local cottages and views.

Local councillor Fred Mackintosh said: "The tall mast and its associated equipment cabinets will introduce visual clutter into the area around the unlisted cottages to the south of the site.

"These cottages pre-date the Harrison Arch and appear on the 1896 Ordnance Survey Map of the area.

"There are few remaining examples of the many such single-storey agricultural cottages and farm buildings in the area and to put a mast outside them would seriously compromise them."

Cllr Mackintosh added: "A mast in this location will damage the visual amenity of the view from Blackford Avenue and West Mains Road towards the Braid Hills.

"The proposed mast in this location will damage the setting of the Category B-listed Harrison Arch which was erected in 1888 and listed in 1993.

"A number of my constituents are also concerned about the possible health effects of phone masts."

The planning application is not expected to be heard by councillors for around two months.