Mobile phone giant blasted for failure to consult

2.10.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 17th Jun 2009

Colne Valley Councillor Nicola Turner (Lib Dem) has criticised Telecoms Company O2 for its failure to consult with local people before for resubmitting plans to erect a mobile mast at the British Legion Club in Marsden .

Shortly after withdrawing its original application in April after opposition from local people, the Mobile Phone giants moved to hold a "pre-applications consultation" with councillors ahead of submitting revised plans

The Colne Valley Lib Dems told O2 that they should consult directly with local people about the plans but O2 refused saying they would only meet with them. A date and time for this meeting was reluctantly agreed. But before this token consultation could take place, on May 18th O2 resubmitted its revised application to Kirklees without even having fulfilled this meagre part of its commitment to consultation.

Cllr Nicola Turner said:

"O2 clearly don't give a fig about our views or the views of local people. Their decision to re-submit their revised plans even before meeting with local councillors says to me that they are simply checking a box and aren't really interested in anything but getting what they want for their company."

"It's sad and ironic that a communications company refuses to communicate with people when it comes to erecting mobile masts in people's communities. Other big companies manage it. Network Rail is more than happy to hold a drop in day and I don't understand why O2 can't do the same. They must realise that local people's views on what happens to their community matters and they need to engage with them if they want their support and to over come objections".

Cllr Turner encourages residents to lodge their objections to application 2009/53/91447/W1 with the council by the 23 June .

Cllr Turner said:

"If O2 are not interested in actually asking people what they think, it's up to them to come forward and tell them directly. They've made some adjustments to the original application to deal with the climbing issue, but there is already one mast on this structure and I think they should be encouraged to put that to better affect".