Our beloved green haven at the corner of Winn and Guibal Road SE129LX is under threat! Vodafone, in partnership with Cornerstone, plans to replace the existing 12.5m mast with a towering 20m eyesore. This proposed structure will not only disrupt the charm of the intersection but will be visible for miles around, significantly impacting the aesthetic appeal of our community.

For years, residents of Winn Road have been living under a cloud of anxiety thanks to Vodafone's aggressive legal tactics. The company keeps resurrecting the same proposal for a new mast at the specific site for nine years now, despite facing two previous rejections. This repetitive pursuit, even after clear community opposition, paints a picture of a large corporation bullying its way through the legal system. The constant back-and-forth creates a sense of anguish for locals, who are forced to relive the fight and defend their position every few years. Vodafone's relentless approach comes across as an abuse of power, prioritizing corporate interests over the well-being of the community.

This isn't just about preserving beauty; there are serious concerns that need to be addressed:

No network coverage issue: Vodafone and VM02's website coverage maps paint a rosy picture, boasting excellent 4G reception in the area, with similar promises for 5G. However, their insistence on a new mast contradicts this rosy online view. If coverage is truly excellent as advertised, it begs the question: what network problems are they trying to fix? This discrepancy between online claims and the push for a new mast raises concerns.

Health Concerns: While the larger antenna may primarily improve cell service, the need for additional cabinets suggests the new tower might have a stronger radiofrequency (RF) emission compared to the existing one with only 3 cabinets. This raises concerns about potential health risks, as research on the effects of RF radiation is ongoing.

Property Values Down: Who wants to live next to a giant cell tower? It's reasonable to expect that property values could decline as a result of this installation, affecting homeowners in our community.

Moreover, this isn't the first time these companies have attempted such an action against our wishes. In 2019, Vodafone contractors tried installing a 15m mast without permission from Local Lewisham government – an act that required police intervention.

Vodafone has alternative solutions to achieve better coverage without this monstrous eyesore. Strategically placed, smaller cell sites throughout the neighborhood could provide the better service with minimal visual impact and disruption than the 20m monstrosity.  While this approach might be less convenient for Vodafone, prioritizing the well-being and aesthetics of our community should be their top concern.

It is worth mentioning, there's no existing network coverage issue in our neighborhood!

We urge Local Lewisham government and relevant authorities not just consider corporate interests but also respect the wishes and concerns of local residents who value their environment's aesthetics and health implications. Please sign this petition today so we can protect our community from unwanted infrastructural changes!

Please send emails raising your objections to the flowing emails

Lewisham local representative
christine.may@royalgreenwich.gov.uk
hilary.moore@lewisham.gov.uk
rachel.taggart-Ryan@royalgreenwich.gov.uk
suzannah.clarke@lewisham.gov.uk

Local MPs
ellie.reeves.mp@parliament.uk
janet.daby.mp@parliament.uk
vicky.foxcroft.mp@parliament.uk
effordc@parliament.uk

Lewisham Planning
planning@lewisham.gov.uk

WHP Telecoms / Cornerstone/ Vodafone (the people responsible)
Catherine Morris <c.morris@whptelecoms.com>
Ilana Clark <ilana.clark@cornerstone.network>
Ahmed Essam <ahmed.essam@vodafone.com>