A controversial planning application for a large telecommunications mast in Broughty Ferry has been turned down against the advice of council officials.
The chairman of the city council’s development management committee, Rod Wallace, accused the applicants, Vodafone/O2 UK, of being “arrogant” for not sending any representation to Monday evening’s meeting.
The mobile phone giants had sought permission to construct a 17.5m mast just beyond the south-eastern boundary of Forthill Primary School.
Mr Wallace, who is a locally elected member, put forward his belief that the applicants chose the small parcel of land, which also lies next to the open ground of Forthill Sports Club, because it would minimise objections, with only a small number of houses to its rear at Forthill Drive and Forthill Place.
“To me, that comes across as being deceitful and arrogant,” said the councillor.
Fellow councillor Derek Scott added, “I appreciate there are difficulties for phone operators to overcome in order to find suitable sites, but I don’t think this is the best option.”
Councillors agreed to hear two deputations against the proposals including from Dr Hall, who represented the Forthill Primary School parent council.
He focused on the possible health impact resulting from such a development to the nearby school children as well as the visual impact of the mast.
“As the mast is not essential for emergency use, it should not be located so close to a primary school,” he said. “It would be less than 100 metres away from the main school building and the health impact this could have remains uncertain.”
Local mother Doreen Phillips also voiced her opposition, saying the plans were “outrageous”.
“This is a monstrosity,” she said. “No matter how it is disguised it (the mast) will still been seen and will be far, far taller than any of the nearby trees.
“If experts can’t yet agree on the dangers posed to people by these masts, then a planning officer certainly can’t say if it is safe or not. No school child should be exposed to this.”
Planning officers had recommended the plans be approved, stating that they comply with the requirements of the development plan. But councillors overwhelmingly voted to turn down the application on the grounds that the development was not suitable for the area.
Councillors also rejected similar plans at Thomson Park in Lochee. The applicant was again Vodafone/O2 UK, and was for a 15m monopole on land adjacent to Thomson Park football ground, off Napier Drive.
However, councillors gave their unanimous decision to uphold the planning officer’s initial recommendation not to allow the application. It was accepted that the proposals failed to comply with the relevant policies of the development plan.