Outpouring of support for campaign to halt plans for 24m mast in park

Residents running a campaign to stop the siting of a telecoms mast in their local park have been overwhelmed by an “unprecedented” amount of support from the community.

The campaign against a mast planned for Redcatch Park began in mid-February, since then gathering nearly 200 opposition letters which were submitted to Bristol City Council. An online petition is fast-approaching 3000 signatures.

Plans have been submitted to landowner Bristol City Council by EE and Hutchinson 3G, who want to build a 24m mast taking up an area of 112m, enclosed by a 2.5m reinforced concrete fence. The phone company say they need to replace masts that used to be close-by.

Local people gathered in the south Bristol park on Sunday to express their distain for the proposed mast – photo: Residents Against The Mast In Redcatch Park

But locals are worried the installation will be become permanent, spoiling the well-used green space in Knowle. They have banded together and formed a community action group called Residents Against The Mast In Redcatch Park.

About its impact, the group stated: “This park is a public open space used by hundreds of families and individuals and their dogs, in the immediate vicinity and from further afield, due to its Community Garden and vibrant and inclusive events throughout the year.

“It is a very small park and so the erection of a telecoms mast would hugely impact on the beauty and facility of the park.”

A spokesperson for MNBL, the company behind the application, said: “The temporary site at Redcatch Park is to provide coverage following the loss of our permanent site which was housed at The Friendship Inn public house in Knowle.

“We do endeavour to find permanent solutions as quickly as possible but where circumstances prevail we work with the local planning authorities to deploy temporary equipment so that the network services can be maintained, and those residents and businesses that rely upon EE and Three remain connected.

“We will continue to work closely with Bristol City Council and the planning officers, as well as the local community during this process.”

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So far, campaigners have leafleted homes in Knowle, Totterdown and Bedminster and held demonstrations in Redcatch Park.

On Sunday, February 28, a hoard of 50 dogs became the latest to lend support to the campaign after they bounded along with their owners for a ‘Bark in The Park’ protest.

Mabel and Chloe said: “This is a beautiful park, but the mast will spoil it” – photo: Residents Against The Mast In Redcatch Park

Joining them was Mabel, Chloe and Digby, who said: “This is a beautiful park, but the mast will spoil it. We love walking our dogs here and it will just spoil the open space for the dogs to run around freely in. We use the park every day and have so many happy memories here. ‘

Co-leader of Residents Against The Mast In Redcatch Park Sian Ellis Thomas said: “We fully intend to go all the way with this, even if that means lying down in front of the diggers”.

She added: “The community has been incredibly supportive helping with leaflet drops and just turning up. We’re hoping that the amount of objection letters the council have received together with the petition and the general visibility of the campaign will be sufficient for the council to uphold our objection and EE to sling their hook elsewhere. But until then, we will continue to fight.”

Residents Against The Mast In Redcatch Park are seeking to gather 3,500 signatures by Tuesday, March 15 for the petition to be presented to the council.

Main photo: Residents Against The Mast In Redcatch Park

Read more: Appeal lodged after controversial plans for 5G mast refused

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