Residents angered over proposed cell mast to be installed in Gale Road, Parktown
PARKTOWN – Five objections have been received by MTN so far regarding the proposal.
A number of residents in Gale Road, Parktown, are in opposition to the proposed erection of a 15m MTN cellular mast on a residential property in their street which they believe will lessen property value, unnecessarily destroy well-established trees and emit radiation to nearby residents.
Barry Metcalfe who lives directly opposite the proposed site said he is frustrated with the manner in which this proposal has been done. “I am the only resident who has received notification about this proposal and I don’t believe enough time has been given for people to object.”
Melcalfe and four other residents wrote objections to Smit and Fisher Planning, who have arranged the notification on behalf of MTN. Metcalfe, who has lived in Gale Road for 33 years, outlined objections including the visual impact of the mast, the profusion of masts across the area, the removal of two well-established conifer trees, the lowering of property values and radiation among a host of other objections. He also identified the process of public participation as flawed because an incorrect erf was identified in the notification and, according to him; residents were not notified or given sufficient time to object to the proposal.
Ward 87 councillor Bridget Steer said, “I understand the residents’ concerns regarding the perception of property devaluation and health risks. I do not take a side in this regard. If they oppose the idea, residents must send in their objections.”
Hanlie van der Merwe, who lives next door to the proposed site, said, “We bought the place here because of its historical value and beauty. This mast will be horrendous and a great visual and noise intrusion to us.
“We have enough parks and public spaces in Joburg. Why must they put this up in a residential area?
“I am also concerned about the noise that this device will make.
“I would have also appreciated some notification about this since I live next door.”
Metcalfe added, “We feel disempowered as residents in this area. We want to stop people from destroying our suburb. It would have made more sense to put this at the top of the hill where it would give better reception than here at the bottom of the hill. It makes no sense.”
Public relations specialist at MTN Mthokozisi Ndlovu said they identified this site for the mast in order to upscale connectivity.
“The addition of new MTN mast installations on our network is based on coverage complaints received from an area.”
Ndlovu explained that MTN conducts radio planning gap analysis to find the best rollout strategy for optimum coverage in the area. If there are no existing masts offering the desired coverage that MTN can co-locate or share, the need to erect a new mast arises.
MTN emphasised that the current application is for building line relaxation so that the mast can be installed and those surrounding property owners were informed via registered mail.
So far, five objections have been received by MTN and will be adjudicated.
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https://northcliffmelvilletimes.co.za/184577/cell-mast-approved-homeowners-angry/
