Despite concerns, Hanover councillors OK cell tower site

PLANS BY Digicel to erect a cell tower on the grounds of Collective Solutions, the former Jockey Factory in Sandy Bay, Hanover, to facilitate business process outsourcing (BPO) operations there, seem set to become controversial despite receiving approval from the Hanover Municipal Corporation.

The application for the construction of the cell tower, which has been before the HMC for several months, was approved without much enthusiasm last Tuesday.

Two councillors supported the application, while three abstained. Two members of the seven-member corporation were absent.

The vote had to be taken twice as there were some councillors who were of the view that some form of community consultation should be carried out with persons in proximity to the intended site to get their views about possible dangers and benefits of having the cell tower at the approved location.

During the discussions, it was disclosed that Digicel conducted what is known as a ‘green-light survey,’ which saw some 100 persons residing close to the proposed tower site being interviewed about whether they would have any objections to its establishment.

Following the disclosure, which prompted a major discussion during the Physical Planning and Environment Committee meeting, Easton Edwards, the councillor for the Lucea division, was resolute in calling for a community consultation, arguing that residents should be properly educated about the facility.

Edwards also sought clarity on why the proposed cell tower site had to be so near to the community and not further away from the residents in the hilly sections of Sandy Bay.