THIS IS FINDON VILLAGE - More Controversy at the Dew-pond

19th July 2006

Hi Valerie.

Mast

Attached is our response to the proposed 8.5 meter high mobile phone mast at Long Furlong.

You're free to add it to your website.

It may inspire others to come forward and protest.

Regards,

Kim Bang-Sorensen

Kim Bang-Sorensen, Findon Village, West Sussex.

19th July 2006

Head of Planning Services
Arun District Council
The Arun Civic Centre
Maltravers Road
Littlehampton
West Sussex
BN17 5LF
Att H. Cheadle DIP TP MRTPI

Regarding Planning Application
Reference: FN/45/06

Although we live on Tolmare Farm and suffer from very poor reception for our mobile phones (almost non-existing) we strongly reject the erection of an 8.5 meter mast at Tolmare Farm, Long Furlong, Findon.

This is the second time we are threaten with a mast on this beautiful spot. Last time a mast was erected without the necessary permission (we gather). We saw it in place and did not find it appropriate for such an exposed place which is enjoyed by an extremely high number of ramblers, cyclists, dog walkers and even passing of thousands of motorists daily.

The Long Furlong road is a unique road and has a surrounding landscape with a fantastic view and an undisturbed countryside. It would be such an eyesore in this rural setting if an 8.5meter mast were to disturb the natural beauty. The Sussex countryside is already under a massive threat from urban expansion and new developments so we all have a duty to look after our valuable heritage, the unspoiled nature.

There are other masts erected in the area but much better disguised by tall trees and barely visible. Hence we strongly suggest another spot is found for this mast which will not come into the public eye.

We hope very much our concerns are respected and the severity understood. After all - would you like it in your back garden?

Yours sincerely,

Kirsten Andersen Kim Bang-Sorensen

19th July 2006

Dear Valerie,

Comment on Planning Application Ref. FN/45/06

Herewith my letter of objection to the proposed further mast in Tolmare Pond.

Best wishes,

Tony.

The Planning Officer,
Arun District Council.

Dear Sir,

Application Ref. FN/45/06 - Proposed Erection of Mobile Phone Mast at Tolmare Farm

I wish to object to this application on the following grounds:-

1) Not only is the application site within an AONB but the mast is to be installed within the boundaries of an ancient dew-pond

The applicant states that the site is

"disused land enclosed on three sides by grassed banking" - this banking is the remains of the boundaries of Tolmare Pond. The centre of the pond, although much overgrown,
still retains water in the winter. It is believed that the structure of the pond was damaged by vehicular movements during WW2 - and went into a fairly rapid decline from then on.

WSCC's document A Strategy For The Landscape of West Sussex states that new "telecommunications masts should avoid prominent locations" (p 23) - quoting as an example of unacceptable practice "The mast at Tolmare Farm was recently taken down because of its unacceptable impact on the setting of two scheduledancient monuments".

As you are aware, the inspector at the enforcement proceedings concerning the original mast, also sited within the remains of the dew-pond, described the mast as

"an alien feature in a very exposed and prominent location" -

the fact that this new proposal is for an "imitation telegraph pole" in no way alleviates the negative environmental impact of such development within an AONB / potential National Park.

The South Downs Planning Guidelines (Draft Revised June 2006) draw attention to the Phone Operator's Code of Best Practice which states that "prominent rural locations" and "designated rural areas such as National Parks and AONB should be avoided" (C11.7/8)

2) The applicant has failed to demonstrate a need for the mast. The guidelines cited above state that Planning Authorities must ensure "that any new mast is justified and that there are no alternatives outside AONBs."

The applicant states that the "proposed site is required to provide coverage to a section of the A280 to the west of Findon". The coverage is required along this stretch of main road - not for dwellings or any other facility.

There is good evidence that the use of mobile phones, even hands-free, by motorists reduces concentration and increases the risk of accidents. The erection of such a mast would serve therefore to endanger the lives of motorists, cyclists and pedestrians along this picturesque but busy highway.

3) The Tolmare Dew-Pond is a site of national literary importance.

Thomas Hardy, eminent Victorian poet & novelist, visited Findon several times in 1866/7, whilst courting first Eliza, then Mary Jane, Nicholls, who lived at The Running Horse Inn (now Nepcote House). Hardy wrote one of his most famous early poems Neutral Tones beside Tolmare Pond - about the break-up of his love for Eliza. The poem starts:-

We stood by a pond that winter day,
And the sun was white, as though chidden of God,
And a few leaves lay on the starving sod:
They had fallen from an ash and were gray.

The only remaining tree beside Tolmare Pond is the ash sapling, described by the applicant as "existing tree 3m high".

This is a site of National Literary importance - the only clear course for Arun District Council must be to reject the application - and in doing so, give a positive supporting lead to local campaigning - spearheaded by Findon Parish Council - to have the pond restored.

A Strategy For The Landscape of West Sussex promotes policies which "protect, conserve and enhance village ponds, other ponds, open areas of water and dewponds". It also recommends "the conservation of ponds ... restoring where possible neglected ponds on farmland" (p 32).

I therefore urge your committe, taking heed of the various policy documents cited, to refuse this application and take positive steps to ensure the full restoration of Tolmare Pond so that it may once more be "a dew-pond teeming with wildlife" as it was until the 1940s.

Yours faithfully,

Dr Anthony Fincham, East Farleigh, Maidstone, Kent.