Thame Town Council has been in discussion with Shared Access about the potential to install a telecommunications structure at Southern Road Recreation Ground. Pegasus Group is today launching a 4 week public consultation on the proposals. Thame Town Council is keen to see a wide response to the consultation, so that the final decision on whether to proceed or not is based on community consensus and as much evidence as possible. There has already been some discussion on the proposal on various social media sites in Thame and we encourage that to continue.
Thame Town Council is pursuing the option because of the numerous benefits that will accrue, while also being aware that such initiatives can give rise to concern, both from a visual and health and safety point of view. The benefits to Thame will include:
- a) Improved mobile phone coverage in Thame
- b) A long term lighting solution for the much used car park at the Southern Road Recreation Ground at no cost to Thame
- c) An additional financial contribution of around £70,000 which would be used by the Town Council for the benefit of Thame Residents
There is more detail on the proposals in the consultation letter and site location plan, which is available at the Town Hall or the Council’s website at www.thametowncouncil.gov.uk/2017/05/09/public-consultation-proposed-telecommunications-structure-southern-road-recreation-ground-southern-road-thame/
Please send any comments to Rachel Morrison, Planning Assistant at Pegasus Group, at [email protected] or call 01454 625 945.
A copy of the consultation letter is below:
Dear Sir/Madam,
Public Consultation for Proposed Telecommunications Structure at Southern Road Recreation Ground, Southern Road, Thame, OX29 2EP
Pegasus Group are working as Planning Consultants in partnership with Shared Access, who are preparing a planning application for a telecommunication structure to be situated at Southern Road Recreation Ground, Southern Road, Thame, OX29 2EP. The installation will improve network coverage in the local area for Vodafone and O2 customers. Vodafone and O2 also provide network coverage for the following Mobile Virtual Network Operators: Giffgaff; Tesco Mobile; GT Mobile; LycaMobile; Talk Mobile; Allpay Mobile; Cortel Telephone; Glemnet; Highnet; Kontakt Mobile; Lebara Mobile; Ownphone; TalkTalk Mobile; and Zest4 Mobile.
A drawing package is included with this letter to show the site location and indicative plans. This letter has been prepared to provide local residents with some initial information about the proposal and to offer the opportunity to make comments or suggestions about the scheme during the design and development stage, before any planning application is submitted to the Council.
Shared Access has been working with Thame Town Council to propose a scheme to erect a telecommunications structure which will be 17.5m to the top, this being the minimum height possible to achieve the required radio coverage. The scheme will also provide a 6m lamppost to be stationed on the nearby car park to provide security lighting for various users of the facilities.
Shared Access is a property company that specialise in developing telecommunications infrastructure. The company operates in the United Kingdom and Ireland, where they have built, acquired, own and manage approximately 500 sites. Shared Access are the exclusive managing agent for the Office of Public Works (Irish Government) and have exclusive partnerships with national governing bodies, including the Football Association and the Lawn Tennis Association, to provide investment into grassroots sport and facilities.
The telecoms structure will deliver next generation 4G communications infrastructure to the area, as well as improve coverage for other existing technologies. The 4G network will provide exceptionally fast internet to local residents and businesses. As you may be aware, the Government promotes new telecommunications development, as it contributes to improving communications and encouraging economic growth.
The proposal will be fully compliant with standards set down by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). ICNIRP is an independent scientific organisation whose aim is to provide guidance and advice on the health implications of telecommunications development. I look forward to receiving any comments you may have. Please endeavour to provide
your suggestions within four weeks of the date of this letter, to ensure your input is taken into account during the design stage of the proposal. In the meantime, if you require any additional information in respect of the above proposal, please do not hesitate to contact me either by the address on this letter, by email (below) or by telephone 01454 625 945. We will respond to any comments, queries, or concerns
received at the end of the consultation period, on 6 June 2017.
