THE BARNOLDSWICK TOWER

[Stanley]

THE BARNOLDSWICK TOWER

26 August 2004

Remember ‘Jaws’? “Just when you thought it was safe to go in the water”. I’ve got some information for whoever cares about Barlick and I want you to actually do something about it. It’s all well and good us sitting here delving into the past glories of the town and it’s characters but we have a chance now to guard against a terrible mistake that will completely alter the look of the town centre.
Remember the application for a fifty foot mobile phone mast that was proposed for the Weets, kicked out, re-submitted for the pavement in Fernlea Avenue opposite the library (yes, I know, absolutely ridiculous) and kicked out again? Well it’s back, this time the projectors of the scheme have appealed directly to the Planning Inspectorate in Bristol and are no doubt hoping it will slip in without us noticing. It was significant in the first Fernlea proposal that the county highways committee never objected. Very strange, what do you think would happen if you put an obstruction on the footpath? For whatever reason we can’t expect any help from that quarter. The bottom line is that on past track record of cases like this, unless we act now and kick up a real stink, there’s a good chance that this will go through.
What exactly is the proposal? Basically it’s to erect a ‘15 metre monopole, 3 antennas and an equipment cabin on the pavement adjacent to Station House, Fernlea Avenue, Barnoldswick'. This is directly opposite the Public Library and the pavement is marked out for the equipment already! 15 metres means almost 50 feet and that’s only for the pole, you can bet the antenna will be higher than that. So what we are looking at is a 60 feet high eyesore slap in the middle of the townscape. It will be the highest structure in Barlick Town Centre and cannot be anything else but an eyesore.
I shall be writing my objection letter today and sending it off tomorrow in triplicate. My objections will be based on these lines:
The structure will be a gross intrusion in the centre of the town.
At 60 feet (mast and antennae) it will be the most prominent structure in the townscape.
It will restrict sight lines and pedestrian traffic in a very busy part of the town.
If allowed it brings to nothing all the good work of the planning authorities as guardian of a typical stone-built market town.
It will become a precedent for other similar structures.
It is not essential to the communications systems of the area as there is already a similar station 200 yards away at the fire station.
I’m sure you can think of even better reasons for objecting. I am so angry that anyone could entertain such a ridiculous scheme. Who do they think they are? What would the reaction be if this was erected outside the O2 company chairman’s house? What’s the difference between that and our new library? Please get writing and send your objections in.

26 August 2004