How to Remove the TETRA Mast (although the TETRA mast has now been removed this page is not being deleted in the hope that it may prove useful for others coming up against mm02's ways of working). First of all lets make no mistake this installation of the Tetra Mast by 'mm02' on the practice field is a flagrant violation of planning law aided and abetted by Lyme Regis Golf Club. 'mm02' maintains that planning permission is not required, that the installation has been brought on by an emergency and that they can install a mast under Emergency Powers of the Telecommunications Act. I have explained how we view this issue on the Practice Area News page. The golf club's take on this is beyond understanding when considering that within the previous two weeks of the mast appearing the club has had their planning application for the driving range refused in no uncertain manner. They have undone years of work to protect this important entrance to the World Heritage Coast gateway town of Lyme Regis from unsightly and damaging development. The chosen position, close to and dominating the Charmouth Road, could not have been worse. The shock of seeing this appallingly badly positioned mast is so great that it is difficult to believe that planning permission could ever be granted for it. 'mm02' are on record, when making their retrospective planning application for the temporary mast elsewhere on the golf course, that they are concerned with the impact of the masts on the landscape, by saying when considering Carswell Farm that, "The farm offered inadequate screening, meaning that any proposal would have been visually obtrusive and a prominent addition to the skyline in the area." and that sites were carefully chosen "..in order that their installation in the area has a minimum impact on the character of the AONB within which it must be positioned in order to provide the required level of radio coverage." And then we have the practice field! Can this now be believed? 'mm02' has two favourite ways of working. By installing first and then if challenged making a retrospective planning application. We have first hand evidence of this technique with the previous temporary mast on the golf course. The other technique, and the one used in the present case, is to install it under Emergency Powers. I was told, and appearance of the mast supports it, that this mast is another temporary one, although if it remains unchallenged it could lead eventually to the site being used permanently. The structure of the permanent version of the mast is much more substantial, we haven't seen anything yet! First Action. Recommended Reading on the 'Campaign for Planning Sanity' website. Emergency Powers Temporary Installations It is now known that the West Dorset District Council received, from 'mm02' on Thursday 7th October 2004, notification that they have installed the mast using emergency powers under the Telecommunications Act. We must now challenge this and insist that the WDDC views this installation as unlawful development. It would then be required for an Enforcement Notice to be issued to 'mm02'. Before issuing an enforcement notice the district council may negotiate with the installer for them to make a retrospective planning application. We can face that when we come to it, but of prime importance, as explained on the two web pages listed above, we must show from the start how strong the opposition is to this mast. Please write to WDDC stating that you consider the development unlawful. Give the reasons why you believe this to be the case and ask for an "Enforcement Notice" and a "Stop Order" to be issued. Example letters are included on the above two web pages recommended for reading. Although it will be necessary to alter them significantly to fit our case. Write to: Development Services Manager West Dorset District Council 58/60 High West Street Dorchester DT1 1UZ tel. 01305 251010 Email Address* is: planningwestdorset-dc.gov.uk

Practice Area Home Page Practice Area News Points of Objection Driving Range How to Make an Objection Driving Range Strawberry Field Home Page Click picture to see Bridport Driving Range Links on Communications Masts ---------------------------------- Mast Sharing (ODPM) Mast Sharing(Mobile Operators Ass) Mast Sanity USEFUL TETRA/MAST EXTERNAL LINKS Mast Forum (Planning Sanity) Emergency Powers (Planning Sanity) Temporary Installations (Planning Sanity) The Ecologist on TETRA Mast Sanity Mast Action TETRA Report for the Police Federation of England and Wales TETRA Watch