A mobile phone mast is being proposed (by agents for two phone companies) at the entrance to the health centre/ hospital car park next to the Old Showfield.

I understand the application has not yet been submitted, and that Maxema are seeking initial feedback from local stakeholders.

An application was submitted last year for this to be installed at the corner of Grange Road with Bath Road near the north edge of Frome, which was opposed by a large group of residents and refused by Mendip and at appeal due to the adverse impact on the character and appearance of the residential area, and because alternative sites appeared to be available (see here). I assumed they would go to the Football Club site but it now appears that and other places may be unsuitable. So they are now proposing Rodden Road.

Please see below email.  I got back to Andy Lewis soon after his email below to ask him to consult local residents directly as well as Frome Town Council, Mendip District Council, Frome Mendical Practice and Beckington Fanily Practice, Frome Community Hospital, cricket club and Agricultural society, and he agreed to. I have also contacted local residents I know in the street.  Subject to any feedback received they will be submitting an application (for prior consent to be granted).  So, please let me know what you think, if  you have any concerns, and/or do take up issues directly with Maxema, details below.

Please see the initial plans here: CTIL_207947_TEF_NA_VF_096150_REV A_Plans

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‘From: andy.lewis@maxema.co.uk <andy.lewis@maxema.co.uk>
To: Boyden, Adam; Bullen, Carole; info@frometowncouncil.gov.uk
Subject: VF 96150 – Pre-Application Consultation – Base Station Installation – Rodden Road SW – Cllrs

PROPOSED BASE STATION INSTALLATION AT VF 96150 – RODDEN ROAD SW, HIGHWAYS LAND OFF RODDEN ROAD, ADJACENT ENOS WAY, FROME, SOMERSET, BA11 2AH

 Vodafone Limited has entered into an agreement with Telefónica UK Limited pursuant to which the two companies plan to jointly operate and manage a single network grid across the UK. These arrangements will be overseen by Cornerstone Telecommunications Infrastructure Ltd (CTIL) which is a joint venture company owned by Vodafone Limited and Telefonica UK Limited.

This agreement allows both organisations to:

• Pool their basic network infrastructure, while running two, independent, nationwide networks
• Maximise opportunities to consolidate the number of base stations
• significantly reduce the environmental impact of network development.

 CTIL and Vodafone are in the process of identifying a suitable site in the Frome area for a radio base station. The purpose of this letter is to consult with you and seek your views on our proposal before any planning submission is made. We understand that you are not always able to provide site specific comments, however, CTIL and Vodafone are committed to consultation with communities on our mobile telecommunications proposals and as such would encourage you to respond.

As part of Vodafone and Telefónica’s continued network improvement program, there is a specific requirement for a radio base station at this location to provide new 2G/3G & 4G coverage in the Frome area.

Mobiles can only work with a network of base stations in place where people want to use their mobile phones or other wireless devices. Without base stations, the mobile phones and other devices we rely on simply won’t work.

We would be interested in any local stakeholders or groups that you consider would like to know more about our proposals and also refer you to the comments made by the former prime minister. Recognising the vital importance of mobile connectivity for residents and local economies, the urgent delivery of the required network improvements continues to be a Government priority.  As recently as 9^th March 2016 David Cameron stated:

‘Ten years ago, we were all rather guilty of leading campaigns against masts and all the rest of it. Our constituents now want internet and mobile phone coverage. We need to make sure that we change the law in all the ways necessary, that the wayleaves are granted, that the masts are built, that we increase coverage and that everyone is connected to the information superhighway.’

This is substantiated in the budget announcement of 16^th March 2016, which commits to provisions for “greater freedoms and flexibilities for the deployment of mobile infrastructure”. The proposed telecommunications base station in Frome forms a part of this greater drive to address the deficit in mobile phone coverage and capacity.”

Please find below the details of the proposed site and the alternative site options considered and discounted in our site selection process: –

Our technical network requirement is as follows:

• CTIL 207947 / VF 96150 / TEF 50709 / RODDEN ROAD SW
• The site is required to provide new 2G/3G & 4G coverage in Frome and the surrounding area.
• The new site proposal includes installing a 15m shrouded monopole, 2no. microwave dishes, 2no. equipment cabinet, along with ancillary works.
• This is the preferred option as the site provides good coverage, its proposed position is considered suitable in the context for the telecommunications base station. Taking into account the development’s siting and appearance when read in its current environment, it is considered that a scheme in this location will not undermine the visual amenity of the area.

We have considered alternative site options and discounted as follows:

• Frome Leisure Centre, Princess Anne Road, Frome, Somerset, BA11 2SA – NGR: 378047, 149132. A site at this option was initially looked at but the floodlights would need to be significantly redeveloped.
• Frome Rugby Football Club, Gypsy Lane, Frome, Somerset, BA11 2NA – NGR: 378908, 149560. Frome Rugby Club is north of the search area. A site in this location would not provide the required coverage improvements to the target area.
• Stonebridge Drive SW, Adjacent Frome Leisure Centre, Frome, Somerset, BA11 2SB – NGR: 378445, 149057. Not enough available adopted highways land to locate equipment in this location.
• The Old Showfield, Berkley Road, Frome, Somerset, BA11 2EH – NGR: 378509, 148583. This site was made available to the operator via Shared Access, who considered the proposed option offers greater coverage improvements to their target area.
• Frome Town FC, Berkley Road, Frome, Somerset, BA11 2EH – NGR: 378469, 148450. The  flood light structure provide excellent elevation and totally clear clutter, but whilst also outside of the search area it is very close to TEF 13162 – pylon site and does not provide the quality coverage required to the not spots in Frome.
• Frome Community Hospital, Enos Way, Frome, Somerset, BA11 2FH – NGR: 378343, 148819. The construction of Frome Community Hospital rooftop does not lend itself well to accommodating a telecommunications site.
• Berkley Road SW, Berkley Road, Adjacent Selwood Academy, Frome, Somerset, BA11 2EF – NGR: 378867, 148670. Pavement not wide enough to place equipment without impeding pedestrian movement.
• Highways land opposite Hospital Entrance junction – NGR: 78192,148636 Likely to cover ‘not spots’ but significant trees along north side of the road would severely restrict the coverage from this position.
• Highways land adjacent to Frome Co-op, Culverhill, Frome, BA11 5AD – NGR: 378185,148737.  Likely to cover ‘not spots’ but very little screening and site would be exposed and create more visual impact than proposed site location.
• Highways land opposite Co-op, Way, Frome BA11 NGR: 378177,148765 – Closer to residential properties and proximity to mature trees would restrict coverage towards the north.

The Local Planning Authority mast register and our records of other potential sites have already been reviewed, the policies in the Development Plan have been taken into account and the planning history of the site has been examined.

All Vodafone and Telefónica installations are designed to be fully compliant with the public exposure guidelines established by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). These guidelines have the support of UK Government, the European Union and they also have the formal backing of the World Health Organisation.  A certificate of ICNIRP compliance will be included within the planning submission.

In order to give you time to send your comments or request further information, we commit to allow at least 14 days before an application is submitted to the Local Planning Authority. This 14 day period starts from the date of this email.

We would also be grateful if you could please advise of any local stakeholders or groups that might like to make comments.

We look forward to receiving any comments you may have on the proposal.

Your faithfully

Andy Lewis MRICS

Maxema Ltd

…

email: andy.lewis@maxema.co.uk

Unit 2| Charnwood House | Marsh Road| Ashton| Bristol  | BS3 2NA’