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STV News
21-07-2025
- Business
- STV News
Plans to build 56ft telecoms mast beside public art stalled
Plans to build a 56ft telecoms mast next to a piece of public art in Uphall have been stalled by councillors. There was cross-party doubt at proposals that the pole – the height of a five-storey building – which is to replace an existing one nearby, could not be built on the same spot. Councillor Willie Boyle said the plan was more about saving money and added 'no quarter' had been given to the amenity of the site. The community council said the mast would tower over existing trees, be too close to the artwork, and could affect local residents. Wendy McCorriston, head of development management, told the committee that the proposed 17m telecoms mast was earmarked to be built 27ft away from the 15m high mast it is set to replace. The applicant was asked by planning officers whether the siting of the new mast could be on the precise footprint of the existing one but they were told this was not technically feasible because of the location of existing cabinets, HSE requirements and continuation of mobile phone service provision during construction works. It was necessary to maintain emergency signals while the work was being carried out, she added. The site in East Main Street, Uphall, is on the north side of the street, alongside the cemetery. Utility company Dalcour Maclaren's plan would see the new mast built closer to Above and Below, an artwork which celebrates Uphall's transition from an agricultural village to become the heart of the shale mining industry. Local councillor, Labour's Tony Boyle, cast doubts on assertions that one mast would need to stay operational while another was built. There is another mast already on the site unaffected by the proposals. He said: 'I hear what they said, but there are two masts there. Surely, the other mast could serve the emergency services. I find that difficult to believe.' Mrs McCorriston replied: 'We have asked the operator. It's probably possible that there's a technical way around that. It is obviously for members to determine if they feel they haven't got enough information or if the visual impact outweighs service provision.' The SNP's councillor Willie Boyle told the meeting the existing cabins at the foot of the telecoms masts were an eyesore. He added: 'I have an issue with this. I hear what Tony Boyle is saying, and the Community Council. 'What concerns me is when you look at the detail this isn't just another mast there's new cabins going in here. I'm minded to move refusal because of the state of the street with what's existing. These cabins are an eyesore. There's graffiti on them. The companies don't maintain the cabins; they are just a convenient box to house equipment. 'There's no quarter given here to the local amenity or the community. I'm with Tony in as much as I don't believe that either. What we are looking at is cost here. Everything can be done. It's about cost, it's about quick and convenient, about what they get away with elsewhere. 'Rather than go to refusal, maybe we should go to a continuation and have them here to justify this. That would be another option.' Mrs McCorriston said: 'Refusal might be more appropriate; it still allows right of appeal.' Conservative group leader Damian Doran-Timson supported Councillor Boyle's call adding: 'I'd be more minded to do a continuation so we could ask the applicant to be here. ' Chairing the DMC, councillor Harry Cartmill said: 'I think there could be a compromise to take it away from the sculpture. It seems a pity that it would be overshadowed by this mast.' He added that a continuation would ' give the applicants a chance to listen to our concerns and give us a chance to listen to them.' In his objection, Jonathon Moore of Uphall Community Council said: 'The 17 metre high monopole will be significantly higher than the trees at that location. The new monopole is very close to the 'Above and Below' public art, which symbolises the heritage of the shale oil industry in the area. He added: 'Should the transmitter and associated equipment be of much higher power and operate at higher frequencies, its proximity to residential properties would give us significant cause for concern – particularly around possible health issues resulting from higher output 5G masts.' Get all the latest news from around the country Follow STV News Scan the QR code on your mobile device for all the latest news from around the country
Scotsman
19-07-2025
- Business
- Scotsman
West Lothian councillors stall plans for 56ft telecoms mast next to public work of art
Plans to build a 56ft telecoms mast next to a piece of public art have been stalled by councillors. Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... Under the proposal for Uphall, West Lothian, the new mast - the height of a five-storey building – would be installed 27ft away from an existing, slightly shorter mast it is due to replace. The plan put forward by utility company Dalcour Maclaren would see the new mast built closer to Above and Below, an artwork which celebrates Uphall's transition from an agricultural village to become the heart of the shale mining industry. Telecoms poles in East Main Street, Uphall. A new pole would be placed close to the public artwork, titled Above and Below. | Google Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad But at the council's told the Development Management Committee, there was cross-party doubt about why the pole could not be built on the same spot as the current mast. Councillor Willie Boyle said the plan was more about saving money and added ' no quarter' had been given to the amenity of the site. The community council said the mast would tower over existing trees, be too close to the artwork, and could affect local residents. The applicant was asked by planning officers whether the siting of the new mast could be on the precise footprint of the existing one but they were told this was not technically feasible because of the location of existing cabinets, HSE requirements and continuation of mobile phone service provision during construction works. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad The site in East Main Street, Uphall, is on the north side of the street, alongside the cemetery. Local Labour councillor Tony Boyle, cast doubts on assertions that one mast would need to stay operational while another was built. There is another mast already on the site unaffected by the proposals. He said: 'I hear what they said but there's two masts there, surely the other mast could serve the emergency services. I find that difficult to believe.' Wendy McCorriston, head of Development Management, said: 'We have asked the operator. It's probably possible that there's a technical way around that. It is obviously for members to determine if they feel they haven't got enough information or if the visual impact outweighs service provision.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad SNP councillor Willie Boyle told the meeting the existing cabins at the foot of the telecoms masts were an eyesore. He added: 'What concerns me is when you look at the detail this isn't just another mast there's new cabins going in here. I'm minded to move refusal because of the state of the street with what's existing. These cabins are an eyesore. There's graffiti on them. The companies don't maintain the cabins; they are just a convenient box to house equipment. 'There's no quarter given here to the local amenity or the community. I'm with Tony in as much as I don't believe that either. What we are looking at is cost here. Everything can be done. It's about cost, it's about quick and convenient, about what they get away with elsewhere. 'Rather than go to refusal, maybe we should go to a continuation and have them here to justify this. That would be another option.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Mrs McCorriston said: 'Refusal might be more appropriate, it still allows right of appeal.' Conservative group leader Damian Doran-Timson supported Councillor Boyle's call adding: 'I'd be more minded to do a continuation so we could ask the applicant to be here. ' Chairing the meeting, Councillor Harry Cartmill said : 'I think there could be a compromise to take it away from the sculpture. It seems a pity that it would be overshadowed by this mast.' He added that a continuation would ' give the applicants a chance to listen to our concerns and give us a chance to listen to them.' Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad In his objection Jonathon Moore of Uphall Community Council said: 'The 17 metre high monopole will be significantly higher that the trees at that location. The new monopole is very close to the 'Above and Below' public art which symbolises the heritage of the shale oil Industry in the area. He added: 'Should the transmitter and associated equipment be of much higher power and operate at higher frequencies, its proximity to residential properties would give us significant cause for concern – particularly around possible health issues resulting from higher output 5G masts.'
Daily Record
17-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Plan for 'five storey' telecoms mast in West Lothian delayed over concern for public artwork
There was cross-party doubt at proposals that the pole -the height of a five-storey building - which is to replace an existing one nearby could not be built on the same spot. Plans to build a 56ft telecoms mast next to a piece of public art in Uphall have been stalled by councillors. There was cross-party doubt at proposals that the pole -the height of a five-storey building - which is to replace an existing one nearby could not be built on the same spot. Councillor Willie Boyle said the plan was more about saving money and added ' no quarter' had been given to the amenity of the site. The community council said the mast would tower over existing trees, be too close to the artwork, and could affect local residents. Wendy McCorriston, head of Development Management, told the Development Management Committee that the proposed 17m telecoms mast was earmarked to be built 27ft away from the 15m high mast it is set to replace. The applicant was asked by planning officers whether the siting of the new mast could be on the precise footprint of the existing one but they were told this was not technically feasible because of the location of existing cabinets, HSE requirements and continuation of mobile phone service provision during construction works. It was necessary to maintain emergency signals while the work was being carried out, she added. The site in East Main Street, Uphall is on the north side of the street, alongside the cemetery. Utility company Dalcour Maclaren's plan would see the new mast built closer to Above and Below, an artwork which celebrates Uphall's transition from an agricultural village to become the heart of the shale mining industry. Local councillor, Labour's Tony Boyle, cast doubts on assertions that one mast would need to stay operational while another was built. There is another mast already on the site unaffected by the proposals. He said: 'I hear what they said but there's two masts there, surely the other mast could serve the emergency services. I find that difficult to believe.' Mrs McCorriston replied: 'We have asked the operator. It's probably possible that there's a technical way around that. It is obviously for members to determine if they feel they haven't got enough information or if the visual impact outweighs service provision.' The SNP's councillor Willie Boyle told the meeting the existing cabins at the foot of the telecoms masts were an eyesore. He added: 'I have an issue with this. I hear what Tony Boyle is saying, and the Community Council. 'What concerns me is when you look at the detail this isn't just another mast there's new cabins going in here. I'm minded to move refusal because of the state of the street with what's existing. These cabins are an eyesore. There's graffiti on them. The companies don't maintain the cabins; they are just a convenient box to house equipment. 'There's no quarter given here to the local amenity or the community. I'm with Tony in as much as I don't believe that either. What we are looking at is cost here. Everything can be done. It's about cost, it's about quick and convenient, about what they get away with elsewhere. 'Rather than go to refusal, maybe we should go to a continuation and have them here to justify this. That would be another option.' Mrs McCorriston said: 'Refusal might be more appropriate, it still allows right of appeal.' Conservative group leader Damian Doran-Timson supported Councillor Boyle's call adding: 'I'd be more minded to do a continuation so we could ask the applicant to be here. ' Chairing the DMC Councillor Harry Cartmill said : 'I think there could be a compromise to take it away from the sculpture. It seems a pity that it would be overshadowed by this mast.' He added that a continuation would ' give the applicants a chance to listen to our concerns and give us a chance to listen to them.' In his objection Jonathon Moore of Uphall Community Council said: 'The 17 metre high monopole will be significantly higher that the trees at that location. The new monopole is very close to the 'Above and Below' public art which symbolises the heritage of the shale oil Industry in the area. He added: 'Should the transmitter and associated equipment be of much higher power and operate at higher frequencies, its proximity to residential properties would give us significant cause for concern - particularly around possible health issues resulting from higher output 5G masts.'
Edinburgh Reporter
17-07-2025
- Business
- Edinburgh Reporter
Plans for 56ft telecoms mast next to public art stalled
Plans to build a 56ft telecoms mast next to a piece of public art in Uphall have been stalled by councillors. There was cross-party doubt at proposals that the pole -the height of a five-storey building – which is to replace an existing one nearby could not be built on the same spot. Councillor Willie Boyle said the plan was more about saving money and added 'no quarter' had been given to the amenity of the site. The community council said the mast would tower over existing trees, be too close to the artwork, and could affect local residents. Wendy McCorriston, head of Development Management, told the Development Management Committee that the proposed 17m telecoms mast was earmarked to be built 27ft away from the 15m high mast it is set to replace. The applicant was asked by planning officers whether the siting of the new mast could be on the precise footprint of the existing one, but they were told this was not technically feasible because of the location of existing cabinets, HSE requirements and continuation of mobile phone service provision during construction works. It was necessary to maintain emergency signals while the work was being carried out, she added. The site in East Main Street, Uphall is on the north side of the street, alongside the cemetery. Utility company Dalcour Maclaren's plan would see the new mast built closer to Above and Below, an artwork which celebrates Uphall's transition from an agricultural village to become the heart of the shale mining industry. Local councillor, Labour's Tony Boyle, cast doubts on assertions that one mast would need to stay operational while another was built. There is another mast already on the site unaffected by the proposals. He said: 'I hear what they said but there's two masts there, surely the other mast could serve the emergency services. I find that difficult to believe.' Mrs McCorriston replied: 'We have asked the operator. It's probably possible that there's a technical way around that. It is obviously for members to determine if they feel they haven't got enough information or if the visual impact outweighs service provision.' The SNP's councillor Willie Boyle told the meeting the existing cabins at the foot of the telecoms masts were an eyesore. He added: 'I have an issue with this. I hear what Tony Boyle is saying, and the Community Council. 'What concerns me is when you look at the detail this isn't just another mast there's new cabins going in here. I'm minded moving refusal because of the state of the street with what's existing. These cabins are an eyesore. There's graffiti on them. The companies don't maintain the cabins; they are just a convenient box to house equipment. 'There's no quarter given here to the local amenity or the community. I'm with Tony in as much as I don't believe that either. What we are looking at is cost here. Everything can be done. It's about cost, it's about quick and convenient, about what they get away with elsewhere. 'Rather than go to refusal, maybe we should go to a continuation and have them here to justify this. That would be another option.' Mrs McCorriston said: 'Refusal might be more appropriate; it still allows right of appeal.' Conservative group leader Damian Doran-Timson supported Councillor Boyle's call adding: 'I'd be more minded to do a continuation so we could ask the applicant to be here. ' Chairing the DMC Councillor Harry Cartmill said: 'I think there could be a compromise to take it away from the sculpture. It seems a pity that it would be overshadowed by this mast.' He added that a continuation would 'give the applicants a chance to listen to our concerns and give us a chance to listen to them.' In his objection Jonathon Moore of Uphall Community Council said: 'The 17-metre-high monopole will be significantly higher that the trees at that location. The new monopole is very close to the 'Above and Below' public art which symbolises the heritage of the shale oil Industry in the area. He added: 'Should the transmitter and associated equipment be of much higher power and operate at higher frequencies, its proximity to residential properties would give us significant cause for concern – particularly around possible health issues resulting from higher output 5G masts.' By Stuart Sommerville, Local Democracy Reporter Like this: Like Related
Daily Record
21-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Bid to save West Lothian pensioners' café fails as councillors reject call to step in
A meeting of the full council voted down a motion from the SNP's Willie Boyle to intervene in plans to close the cafe in Rosemount Gardens in Bathgate. A plea by a Bathgate councillor for West Lothian Council to intervene in plans to shut a pensioner's cafe has failed. A meeting of the full council voted down a motion from the SNP's Willie Boyle to intervene in plans to close the cafe in Rosemount Gardens in Bathgate. Councillor Boyle said the proposed savings 'don't add up' given that four council staff would be moved to other posts. 'Where's the savings?', he said. Councillor Boyle first tabled his motion to the last meeting of the full council where it was ruled as inadmissible. He took it back to Tuesday's meeting unchanged. In it he referred to the opening of the Rosemount Gardens complex in 2017 saying: 'The delivery of this accommodation offered so much to people who gave up homes to take up residence.' The cafe is 'at the heart' of this development, he maintained, asking that the council write to the Integration Joint Board raising concerns about closure plans. He added that the complex provided : 'A new home that would provide them with facilities to meet their perceived needs and hope for their future. A building that is a focal point for the community and has become a valued hub serving a wider need.' Councillor Boyle said that a campaign group had pointed out that the cafe had only every operated as a break even operation and that staff were keen to work with the IJB to look at ways in which the cafe could stay open. An amendment from Councillor Tom Conn, who also chairs the IJB said: 'A report will be provided to the IJB on 26 June 2025 to specify whether or not a viable option has been identified for delivery of cafe facilities within Rosemount Gardens complex.' He pointed to the £8.6m budget gap in social care to 2027/28 and suggested that the council should instead write to the Scottish Government asking for social care to be better funded. Councillor Boyle told the meeting 'Look at the human element behind this decision. The cost that's crippling this cafe is because four full time equivalent employees work for West Lothian Council. Given that this council has a no redundancy policy where is the actual cost saving. 'It doesn't add up, and that's how the public are looking at it. 'Where is the savings? It's a paper exercise and people could lose vital services because of it. Let's put the politics aside.' Councillor Boyle's motion was voted down by 17 to 14, with one abstention.
