A mobile phone company has obtained a court order to put up an emergency telecoms mast in a seafront car park.
EE has temporarily closed the Marine Cliffs car park, in Rottingdean, so that a mast, base station and generator can be installed.
The phone firm notified Brighton and Hove City Council about its initial plans to put up a mast in the car park almost a year ago.
It previously used the roof of the White Horse pub but had to find an alternative when the pub closed for a major refurbishment.
After 17 objections were lodged to the original mast plans the company withdrew them and pledged “to work closely with the local planning authority, locally elected members and residents”.
Brighton and Hove Independent councillor Bridget Fishleigh wrote on Facebook today: “Last year EE’s infrastructure company requested emergency permission to put a mast and equipment in Marine Cliffs car park, in Rottingdean, just east of the traffic lights.
“The council, myself and various others asked what the emergency was. The application was then withdrawn with no explanation from the company.
“We then found out what the emergency was when the mast on the White Horse was taken down.
“I then wrote and called various people at EE to suggest other locations. Never heard a peep back. Our MP also had a go but still nothing.
“In the meantime, EE’s infrastructure company went to court and got a ruling that it could put equipment there for 18 months.
“First I heard of this was when the notice went up that the car park would be closed. Brighton and Hove City Council’s planning department was told about the court ruling by letter last week.
“I understand that we need coverage – I am on EE too. However, there is plenty of space in the car park for the equipment. Why does it have to go right next to people’s homes? It’s not just a mast.
“The kit will take up eight parking spaces – much-needed in the summer – and will include a generator.
“The council’s planning department is trying to persuade EE’s agents to relocate the equipment to the other side of the car park.”
The mast atop the White Horse pub was taken out of use at the end of August, affecting phone signals and wifi for many homes and businesses including those taking payment with a debit card reader.
One resident, Jon Harris, also posted on Facebook today, saying: “I suspect it’s going ‘right next to people’s homes’ because that’s where the existing services in the ground are and / or that’s where it’ll offer the best coverage.
“Let’s get this vital service up and running again and focus our energies on suggesting a permanent home for this installation rather than trying to frustrate the process again when they’ve already been given permission by the courts.
“It was the height of irony if anyone who argued hard against the original temporary application then bemoaned the loss of service in the village and further afield.
“Surely the positive way forward now would be for council and local businesses to look at what permanent sites there might be that the mobile business can consider rather than continue to complain about this temporary installation. The ship has sailed now.”
Even as work started in the car park today, traffic was queuing at the A259 traffic lights – at the Marine Drive and High Street crossroads – because the road has been dug up.
The excavation is to enable a new power supply for the White Horse pub to be put in – and the disruption is expected to last until Wednesday (3 April).
EE and other firms will put a mast (and emergency if permanent fall out) at the nearest spot to guarantee it’s cover. You can suggest a car park on the other side of town but that’s doesn’t fix the issue EE in this case has. So not surprised they went past the council who can’t organise a pissup in a brewery and go to court to get it in a ruling. Fact they didn’t know about the court case shows how bad it is as they would have definitely had a letter about it with case details and date
You really should understand the facts before attacking the council. I suspect you are an employee of EE
I think it is nice that a company has gone to the trouble of getting a court injunction and is restoring the service. Says they care about the customer and their service levels.
They could if just said ” oh xxxx it, you lot can just get stuffed and have no signal”
It is not their fault that the base station on the pub had to go, the building was being changed, they have simply reinstated the mast at the nearest appropriate location.
This is madness.
If this was essential why do so next to a residential property, right outside a window, MY WINDOW, when there was an entire car park to put it.
What were the planners thinking?
But think of the excellent mobile phone signal!
Where would you have liked the temporary mast placed instead in terms of metres from your residential property?
If you care to look at mast locations, most are close to properties. Are you one of those who thinks mobile phone masts cause health problems?
But Stephen doesn’t like it outside his window, Berty. Anyone else’s window is okay, just not his.
You should ask to see the exclusion zones for this mast! It should not be right next to a residential property. Often there is a 50 metre exclusion zone.
Hopefully O2 will do the same, Brighton centre is half uncovered.
Perhaps if the local councillor had researched the situation, rather than joining scaremongering anti-5g activists in wanting the replacement mast moved to a totally inappropriate location.
It’s not surprising there are so many complaints about poor mobile phone coverage in the city.
A mobile phone company has obtained a court order to put up an emergency telecoms mast in a seafront car park.
EE has temporarily closed the Marine Cliffs car park, in Rottingdean, so that a mast, base station and generator can be installed.
Regarding the above article published 30/03/2024
There was a fire over the weekend that destroyed some of the equipment on this site. Criminal damage is suspected along with the vandalising of some other equipment.
While this action is abhorrent it vindicates the local residents objections on its close proximity to their property.
This structure needs to be relocated further away from residential properties.