Public Meetings set for second Richborough Mast
As previously reported, New Line Networks are proposing to build a 1,000ft communication mast at Richborough. The mast would be part of a 3,200-mile cable network stretching from New York to Land’s End, on to London and eventually to Frankfurt, Germany’s financial centre. Both towers could be ready by the middle of next year if planning applications with Dover council run smoothly, enabling quicker communication with European markets.
There are concerns that such a mast may interfere with navigation at a future re-opened Manston Airport. To find out more there will be several public meetings as follows:-
Sandwich Guildhall
Thursday 17th March 4.00pm – 8.00pm
Friday 18th March 10.00am – 4.00pm
Minster Village Hall
Wednesday 23rd March 4.00pm – 8.00pm
Cliffsend Village Hall
Thursday 31st March 2.00pm – 6.00pm
Ash Village Hall
Monday 4th April 2.00pm – 6.00pm
It is anticipated that planning application will be submitted to Dover District Council in Spring of this year, with goal to start construction later in 2016 and complete in the first half of 2017.
Find out more here – http://www.kefmast.co.uk/about/
Please note that this is a separate site to the Vigilant Global proposals in the same area: http://www.richboroughmast.co.uk/
On the 15th of February 2016 the Ash Parish council unanimously agreed the following objections to planning application DOV/16/00044 (Vigilant Global Mast). One of the reasons to object was the future of the Manston airport.
Read the 16th February:
http://www.ashpc.kentparishes.gov.uk/default.cfm?pid=news&newsid=11281
Locals support the Ash PC and many objections are already filed at the Dover District council website. Join the local community and if you have not filed a complaint yet please do so at Dover District Council website:
https://planning.dover.gov.uk/online-applications/applicationDetails.do?activeTab=makeComment&keyVal=DCAPR_228292
The most common complaints are:
* do not want to constrain opportunities on the future of Manston airport for aviation
* adverse effects on the Saxon Way footpath
* adverse visual impact on the Richborough Fort national heritage site
* impact on unspoilt marshland habitat where the Mast is due to be sited
* do not want to expose the community to risk given uncertainties around microwaves and their regulation
* Fibre optics cables a 100% save alternative