Residents angry over 'horrendous' mast near homes

RESIDENTS have been angered by a huge telecommunications mast that was constructed without warning and is located just yards away from homes and two neighbouring primary schools.

- By STUART ARNOLD Local democracy reporter

The mast, contained within a fenced-off compound and including other apparatus, was recently sited on land off Normanby Road, Ormesby.

People living in the vicinity have complained of noise and vibrations being emitted at various times of the day, disturbing sleep, and of the visual impact amid fears it could affect house prices.

The mast is a temporary replacement for another mast on the top of Spencerbeck House - a derelict high rise tower block in Ellerbeck Way, Ormesby due to be demolished which is being switched off.

The land is owned by housing firm Beyond, which said it had granted a 12-month licence to Mobile Broadband Network Limited (MBNL) to occupy it, a company which provides network infrastructure services to mobile phone operators EE and Three. However, one woman who spoke to the Gazette about her concerns said she had been told by workers on site the mast could remain in situ for up to 25 years.

Sue Cox, who lives opposite the mast on Normanby Road, said: "We weren't given any notification. When you open the curtains you can see it from the window, it's horrendous.

"We came over to the field to ask them what they were doing and they said it was a temporary structure, but it could last up to 25 years."