Mast at the Keep may still go ahead (From Thisisdorset)

Mast at the Keep may still go ahead

9:56am Tuesday 24th April 2007

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CAMPAIGNERS who won a battle to stop a controversial tetra mast being erected at the Keep military museum face a fresh fight against the plan.

Members of West Dorset District Council's development control east committee turned down a proposal to erect the three antennas disguised as a flagpole on the top of the Dorchester museum in February.

But now telecommunications firm Airwave O2 has applied to West Dorset District Council for a certificate of lawfulness for the mast.

The application will decide whether or not planning permission is needed for the proposed use of the site. If the district council decides that planning permission is not needed then the parish council will be given a certificate to say that the proposed use is acceptable without the need for planning permission.

David Barrett, who helped spearhead the campaign against the original proposal, said: "We have got to put together a public response on this to the legal department of West Dorset District Council.

"The public raised their concerns about the proposal back in February and those concerns have in no way lessened. I would hope that the council will make a decision within the normal response time," he said.

Members of the council's development control east committee voted overwhelmingly against the plan on the grounds of its impact on neighbours' amenity and health concerns.

Listed building consent was granted.

A government inspector has given the green light for a temporary tetra mast at Dorchester Police station following an appeal. The permission is for 12 months.

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