Dispute about construction of cellular mast
She told the COURIER that she and some of her neighbours had not received the notice in time to object.
LEE ANN Morgan from The Hill is livid about the proposed construction of a 36m mast and base station just a few metres from her house by a company called Skycoverage. Once approved it will be constructed on the remainder of Holding 76, Klipriviersberg Estate Smallholding.
She told the COURIER that she, and some of her neighbours did not receive the notice in time to object to this. “I only received the notification on May 9 from a concerned neighbour. We, as well as other local residents, have not received the notification dated April 6 with a 21-day period for written comment,” she said.
Lee Ann gave numerous reasons why this proposed mast should not be erected. Her reasons, among others, include:
• Appearance, size and location of masts – this is a highly populated, residential area. The location is in the centre of a diversely populated area. It is very close not only to schools (The Hill High and WH Coetzee Primary), but also to family homes and retired people (JAFTA). This unsightly monstrosity would literally be on their pavement adjacent to their home and entertainment area.
• House values would diminish. Increasingly, Estate Agents are saying that houses near mobile telephone masts will lose value, with some even being very difficult to sell at all.
• Health would be affected. There are many articles on the possible health hazards of such masts. It is no longer possible to argue that health is not a material planning consideration. Nobody knows what the long-term health risks will be from these masts.
• The installation will be a very short distance away from schools because it would be in a residential area. Children are particularly vulnerable because of the increased rate at which their cells divide (making them more susceptible to genetic damage) and because their nervous system is still developing. The smaller size of their heads and their thinner skulls increase the amount of radiation that they absorb.
• Exercising human rights means residents have a say. It is my basic human right to have a say in my own suburb and to strongly object to this mast being placed on my doorstep.
However, Andries Odendaal, professional town planner from Skycoverage, said that they had done everything in their power to inform the residents who stand to be affected by the erection of this proposed mast. Apparently they even sent a letter (dated April 6) to Ward 56 Clr Michael Crichton. He went on to say that Lee Ann’s objection had been received outside the objection period.
“The objection letter from Lee Ann was received outside of the objection period (as prescribed by city council). We, unfortunately, cannot extend the objection period indefinitely just because someone didn’t collect their notice on time or because the notice wasn’t delivered to them on time. If this were the case, then anybody would be able to object against anything at any time without consideration for due process. It is our responsibility to post the notices on time and that was done! Clr Crichton was notified via e-mail,” he said.
When the COURIER asked Odendaal when they would start this process, he replied that at this point in time, he could not comment on the date since the project was subject to city council approval – which they had not yet received. The construction of the mast is also subject to approval by the Civil Aviation Authority (which they had also not received to date).
For free daily local news in the south, visit our sister newspapers Alberton Record, Comaro Chronicle, Southern Courier and Get it Joburg South Magazine.
Remember to visit our Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages. You can also email our offices on cvdwalt@caxton.co.za, juliem@caxton.co.za or luckyt@caxton.co.za
Add us on WhatsApp today! Alberton Record: 060 644 5264 Comaro Chronicle: 079 427 8074 and Southern Courier: 079 404 5789.
