24 June 2002

Dear Sir,

Telecommunications mast, Church Road, Hartley. Reference SE/02/01262/TELNOT

I refer to the application to erect a telecommunications mast submitted by T Mobile.

We would like to object on the following grounds:

• The loss of visual amenity. This proposed mast will be situated within the Green Belt. This conflicts with Sevenoaks District Council Local Plan and the DETLR PPG8 guidelines General Policy. for the protection of the countryside and urban areas the Green Belt included.
• The land opposite the proposed site of the mast contains a Grade 2 Listed Building and it is adjacent to an Area of Local Landscape Importance as designated in the SDC Local Plan. This mast will be a visual intrusion, being fully visible from the road in the Green Belt and the Area of Local Landscape Importance. It contravenes Sevenoaks District Council's Local Plan 4.21 by intruding into a visual amenity of the locality. It is a visual intrusion by its inappropriate siting, the materials used for its construction and the colour thereof. The design does not appear to be sympathetic to, or of such to minimise the impact on the road scene when entering the village from the southern end of Church Road.
• It will be sited in an area of mature trees and shrubs. It also contravenes PPG8.(17) as inappropriate development in the Green Belt unless very special circumstances are demonstrated. No account of screening or planting has been taken in the placement of this mast.
• We believe the land to be sited on property within the ownership of Kent Highways. It has been understood in the past that Kent County Council will not allow masts to be erected on its land. Have K.C.C. been consulted on this application?
• There are already pressures in the Green Belt area of Church Road for inappropriate building applications which are fully visible from the road. These, we are led to believe, have been rejected by Sevenoaks District Councill Planning officers as a visual intrusion into the Green Belt.
• We are unaware of pre-application discussions taking place with local residents or groups. Had not the Parish Council erected its own letter to residents no notice would have been posted.
• Has any possibility been explored of erecting antennas on an existing building, mast or other structure , or of mast sharing (PPG8.21)?
• A recent judgement in a Court of Appeal ruling, by Lord Justice Schiemann, stated an application can be blocked on health grounds even without medical proof.