Fears over siting of mast in town centre (From Gazette & Herald)

Fears over siting of mast in town centre

COUNCIL leaders at Pickering fear that plans to put up a 15-metre high telecommunications mast in the heart of the town could jeopardise future development plans.

The town council decided to tell Ryedale District Council's (RDC) planning committee, when it meets next month, that the plan could blight major schemes if it goes ahead on a site off Recreation Road.

Coun Malcolm Jones suggested that if planning permission was granted it should be limited to probably five years and urged that RDC liaise with other local authorities, including the North York Moors National Park, to ascertain their policies on masts.

Town clerk Andrew Husband said four other sites had been considered for the mast but were rejected for various reasons.

He, too, was concerned that a mast close to Vivis Lane could preclude the building of a new road.

"We should ask RDC planners to look at the long-term effects of this plan being approved."

Coun Judy Dixon said: "This decision should not be made hastily."

The council is to seek a grant of £20,000 from Yorventure towards the Hawthorn Lane play area.

A bid has already been made to RDC for just under £7,900 towards the first phase of the scheme, which is due to cost £31,460. Meanwhile, the Hawthorn Lane Play Area Committee has been told that drainage work and re-equipping the project will cost a total of £46,460.

A report from the Pickering 2020 Town Team to the council highlighted plans to give the town centre, Market Place and beckside an environmental facelift, as part of the Ryedale Community Plan.

There is also the possibility, councillors were told, that the Environment Agency could carry out a project to enhance the wetlands and bird-watching potential between Keld Head Spring and Millennium Wood.

Updated: 11:06 Wednesday, February 23, 2005