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21/01386/PRI16A - Wulfstan Way, Cambridge

Meeting: 01/09/2021 - Planning (Item 100)

100 21/01386/PRI16A - Wulfstan Way, Cambridge - 11.30am pdf icon PDF 121 KB

Minutes:

The Committee received an application for full planning permission.

 

The application sought approval for installation of 15m Phase 8 Monopole C/W wrapround Cabinet at base and associated ancillary works.

 

The Committee Manager read out the following points on behalf of Councillor Page-Croft (City Ward Councillor):

i.      Was not opposed to having a pole in Queen Edith for an improved internet.

ii.     After the last 18months of having council meetings on Teams and ward/party meetings on Zoom, realised the importance of having a good internet/phone service.

iii.   It has been a great tool, the council have been able to carry on meetings, getting help to those who need it. A lot more residents logged into the on-line meetings.

iv.   Councillor Page-Croft and a number of residents had a big problem with this proposal:

1. The height of the pole, which has been reduced from 18mtrs to 15 mtrs.

2. The position of the pole and cabinets.

3. Much too close to the school.

4. Much too close to the crossing.

5. A very busy road,

6. Lookout from coffee house.

v.    This is a very busy road. Buses passed both ways every 20 minutes, plus traffic to the schools, deliveries, and is used as a bit of a rat run to Queen Edith way and visa versa. Also pedestrians such as school children and residents from Dunstan court.

vi.   Welcomed the idea to mingle the pole in with the trees, but could not see it helping.

vii. This is a risky place to put the pole and the cabinets, between a bus shelter and a zebra crossing.

viii.                   There is a space just a few yards up the road, in front of the hedge, by the Queen Edith doctors car park, it is not used and there was plenty of room for all the equipment.

ix.   Requested the company came to our South Area Committee meeting on 6 September, but did not get a response.

x.    Please support the Officer recommendation to refuse.

 

The Committee Manager read out the following points on behalf of Councillor Davies (City Ward Councillor):

i.      Supported the Officer's recommendation is to reject this application. There is strong local opposition to the siting of a mast in this location, as is demonstrated by the number of objections received. Wished to emphasise two aspects in comments today.

ii.     Firstly, residents could well visualise the overbearing height of the proposed mast, which would intrude on what is a valued green space at the heart of our community. The resulting detrimental impact would conflict with Policy 72 of the 2018 Local Plan, which is designed to "protect and enhance" designated Neighbourhood Centres such as Wulfstan Way. It would also be an insult to the local residents, community groups and businesses have invested considerable time and money in upgrading the area over the last couple of years, to improve its ambience and function and make it a more attractive space. 

iii.   Secondly, residents were very conscious of the safety hazard presented by the proposed array of cabinets on the roadside. Placed right next to a zebra crossing used daily by primary school children and by older and less mobile residents accessing the local shops, this would create an extremely dangerous blind spot, as has been highlighted in the comment by the Local Highways Authority.

iv.   Trusted that Planning Committee would support the officer's conclusions and reject this entirely inappropriate application.

 

The Committee:

 

Unanimously resolved to refuse the application for planning permission in accordance with the officer recommendation, for the reasons set out in the officer report.