An application by O2 to erect a 15m mobile phone mast on the pavement on Woodside Avenue N10 has been withdrawn in order to carry out wider consultation, following the intervention of Lib Dem councillor Martin Newton (Fortis Green ward). Cllr Newton made contact with the company carrying out the pre-consultation and discovered that hardly anyone in the community had actually been consulted on the proposals.

Only St James’s Primary School, Tetherdown, Treehouse Trust, one resident, ward councillors and MP Lynne Featherstone had been contacted by the company.

Cllr Newton has supplied the company with a list of residential streets, hospitals, schools and other local facilities that might be affected by the proposal and asked for these to be included in the new consultation.

Cllr Newton comments:

“I am pleased that the company have withdrawn their application and that a wider group of people can have a chance to air their views. I hope that this will result in O2 deciding not to proceed, as I found this application particularly insensitive at it is sited on the doorstep of St James’s Primary School, Cranwood Nursing Home, as well as being close to several other Schools, Nurseries, St Luke’s Hospital and many local homes.”