A group of more than thirty residents of Penningtons Lane and the surrounding areas gathered together recently to protest to the proposal to site a 15m mobile telephone mast and several large cabinets housing equipment, on the attractive green at the junction with Congleton Road.

More than 120 people have already signed a petition objecting to the proposal;    a number of meetings have been held with local residents, the Ward Councillor and Gawsworth Parish Council.

The Harlequin Group who are acting on behalf of EE Limited are prepared to consider other sites but this appears to have been blocked by Cheshire East Council.

Colin Garlick, on behalf ofthe residents said:  “we are objecting to the siting of the huge telephone mast, which is being moved from a commercial site on Moss Lane to a residential area.  This will have such an intrusive impact on the appearance of the green and destroy the character of the area”.  It seems that Cheshire East Council is not even prepared to consider alternative and more appropriate sites”.

Cheshire East Councillor Laura Jeuda who has supported the residents since the campaign began in April last year said:  “I am concerned that the views of residents, including those who have lived on Penningtons Lane for many years appear to have been ignored”.  To site such equipment, which will be considerable in size and bulk, on an attractive piece of green land in a residential area seems grossly unfair. The proposal has already caused some of the older residents’ considerable stress and anxiety”.

The Parish Council has written to Chief Executive of Cheshire East Council, Kath O’Dwyer seeking her support to get the playing fields option explored.