Aerial plans irks Pyes Pa residents

Janet O'Shea

Residents of a Pyes Pa subdivision are dismayed that a 20m radio mast will soon be towering over their homes.

Veda Glen residents have been up in arms about neighbour Brian Heywood's plans for the mast to border their properties since July 2012.

The residents took their case against the mast to the Tauranga City Council in September that year but the council said any action would be pointless because an Environment Court ruling allowed radio aerials of up to 20m throughout Tauranga.

Janet O'Shea, one of the upset residents, said the situation was "an ongoing thing".

Mrs O'Shea said the mast would affect her property the most.

"It will be right on our lawn, by our outdoor living area. Our neighbour is an electrician and he is particularly concerned about lightning strikes."

Mrs O'Shea was concerned about the aerial affecting her property value. She felt the public should know how easily someone could get a permit to erect a mast. She had also heard a similar-sized mast was planned for Welcome Bay but the Tauranga City Council was unable to confirm that without further information.

Mr Heywood said he had a permit and work to erect the aerial was progressing but there was no timetable for it to happen. He said his neighbours had massively exaggerated the size of the aerial.