Mobile phone giant O2’s plan to build a five metre tall phone mast disguised as a flag pole on top of Burnham-On-Sea’s Ritz Cinema has been rejected by district council planners this week.
Burnham-On-Sea.com first reported in 2007 how O2 had submitted an application to build the mast, plus several smaller separate antennae, on the roof of the cinema in Victoria Street, pictured here.
Although members of Burnham’s Planning Applications Committee gave the proposal a thumbs-up last month, the final decision rests with Sedgemoor District Council.
And Case officer Chris Gomm decided this week that the “incongruous and alien” phone mast should not go ahead.
He added: “The application building, whilst not listed, is a notable early twentieth century cinema building in the centre of Burnham-On-Sea.”
“The building is built in the Art Deco style and is of architectural and historic importance to the town; the site is within the designated town centre Conservation Area.”
“The proposed rooftop telecommunications mast does not satisfactorily mimic a flag staff. The proposed mast is to be sited in a highly visible position above the principal elevation of the building fronting onto Victoria Street.”
“The proposed mast will be an incongruous and alien feature within the street scene, to the detriment of both the building and surrounding Conservation Area.”
He added: “The application is contrary to saved Policy PCS4 of the Sedgemoor District Local Plan and central government advice set out in Planning Policy Guidance Note 8: Telecommunications, and Planning Policy Guidance Note 15: Planning and the Historic Environment.”
