The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Mast objectors lament ‘death of democracy’
Scottish Government backs Telefónica’s plans for 70ft structure in Kirriemuir yard
The Scottish Government has sided with a telecoms giant over a controversial mast plan in Kirriemuir.
The decision has been dubbed “the death of democracy” by furious objectors.
An impassioned plea by one objector had convinced Angus development standards committee to go against the recommendation of planning officials and refuse Telefónica’s plan for the 70ft structure at a haulage yard on Cortachy Road.
One councillor backing the bid said that blocking the 4G mast plan would have sent out the signal that Angus was not “open for business” because of the poor rural connectivity already costing the area.
The committee voted seven to three to refuse the mast after being swayed by the emotional speech by Lorna Wotherspoon, who said the siting of the structure would be “totally intolerable”.
Telefonica UK, the owner of the O2 commercial network, argues they “failed to appreciate” its reasons for the mast at the yard on Cortachy Road.
And a government reporter supported its “only option” to upgrade the 4G signal west of Kirriemuir.
Mrs Wotherspoon said: “Everybody along this row of houses has strongly objected; there were three properties there to see the reporter.
“Another was in Aberdeen babysitting and another was ill.
“The democratically elected representatives from this area voted seven to three in our favour and somebody who is not from this area, who will never see us again, who lives in Edinburgh, has come out in favour of them (Telefónica).
“I’d like to make it clear that I’ve never advocated no mast, only where it goes.
“There are two sites within a matter of yards that have already been looked at and designated as possibilities with the owner of the land.
“It will just be cheaper and more convenient for them to put it here.
“I wasn’t even allowed to point them out to him.
“The sun will be shining through this which the reporter didn’t see because it was so misty, to the extent he considered postponing the visit. “This is the death of democracy.” A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “As with all cases, the reporter makes his decision taking into account the submissions made by all parties involved in the appeal.”
There are two sites within a matter of yards that have already been looked at and designated as possibilities with the owner of the land.
LORNA WOTHERSPOON