UPDATED 15.02.09
Residents have informed us today that the application will now goto planning at Winchester City Council following the Trustees decision to accept O2 proposal. Many local people are still very concerned about this and have told me they will write letters of objection.
Residents wishing to write in connection with the application should write to WCC before 5 March 2009. Full details can be found at www.winchester.gov.uk
UPDATED 05.12.08
Steve Brine adds; “I have had several discussions with the hospital since the meeting and visited for a tour of the property with Brother John. It is good that the trustees are meeting with residents and I am pleased to say they have been able to set straight some of the misleading information given by O2 at the meeting in October.
"The trustees have an ancient hospital site, buildings and church to run and they will make a decision based on what’s best for the Hospital but I sincerely hope in liaison with some key members of the local community. Whatever they decide, I hope all can work together for the benefit of St Cross Hospital which is a very special part of Winchester’s heritage past …. and future.”
Original story ...
The Trustees of the Hospital of St Cross and mobile phone provider O2 held a drop in session this evening (10 October 2008) for residents in St Cross.
Many of them were looking for more information about the proposal to put a mobile phone antenna on top of the Grade 1-listed church of St Cross Hospital. Trustees at the hospital will make a decision later this month whether to proceed with the proposal and seek planning permission from Winchester City Council.
Prospective Winchester MP Steve Brine attened the meeting and spoke; “I think it is fair to say, O2 did not do themselves any favours at the meeting on Tuesday evening. Their case for putting a mobile phone antenna at St Cross Hospital seems to revolve around providing 3G mobile coverage for people passing through this part of Winchester and asking the local community to overlook the understandable concerns they have because of the commercial interests of O2.
"I know the meeting has given the Trustees much food for thought and I hope they are able to say a polite but firm no to O2 in this case."
Pictured; residents outside the Bretheren's Hall, St Cross before the meeting, Tuesday evening.