Phone mast plan near schools sends out wrong signals

Your article last week about the proposed Orange phone mast on Fitzjohn s Avenue raised an important issue (Protest over phone mast gets louder, H&H July 16). There is a proliferation of these ugly and intrusive phone masts, which damage the character of

Your article last week about the proposed Orange phone mast on Fitzjohn's Avenue raised an important issue (Protest over phone mast gets louder, H&H July 16). There is a proliferation of these ugly and intrusive phone masts, which damage the character of our neighbourhoods.

When this application comes before the development control committee of Camden Council, I strongly urge them to reject it. There are several very good reasons for this.

Firstly, Fitzjohn's Avenue is in a conservation area which means that any new development must "protect, enhance and conserve" the area. A seven metre phone mast clearly does not do this.

Secondly, for there to be a new phone mast there must be a clear need. Orange's own website says that coverage in this area is already 'excellent'. I am in fact an Orange user myself and I've lived in the area for 10 years. I can say that I have never had a reception problem on Fitzjohn's Avenue. Orange must also show that they have consulted properly, yet many interested local parties have heard nothing.

We are lucky to live in a special area. It has a charm that has sadly disappeared from much of the rest of London. I suppose that's why we love living live here.

Things like seven-metre phone masts in the middle of a lovely residential area - with very little attempt at disguise - will detract from the beauty of the area.

The phone mast proposal is bad for the neighbourhood and is totally unnecessary. We must all unite in opposition to it.

Cllr Chris Philp

(Cons) Gospel Oak

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