Labour’s three city councillors for Abbey Ward have written to the Chief Executive of Marshall Aerospace and Defence Group, expressing concerns about the placement of a new 38-metre-tall radar mast at Cambridge Airport. They’ve called for it to be relocated away from local homes.

Residents at The Homing, The Westering, Sunnyside, Mansfield Way and Peverel Road say that the radar mast is imposing and creates noise and light disturbance. They also are concerned about the impact of the tower on amenity, as well as on their own health and wellbeing.

Councillors are concerned that the scale and impact of the mast was not made clear to residents by Marshall, and so residents did not have due opportunity to voice their opinions earlier in the process.

Councillors met with residents and representatives of Marshall on 4 November and again on the 18th November to discuss the impact of the radar. Marshall agreed to conduct a review of the mast’s location, a process that is expected to take several weeks.

Further meetings with Marshall and residents will follow.

Cllr Haf Davies said: “We welcome the news that Marshall are to look again at the radar. It is important the company use this opportunity to properly consider the impact of the mast on local residents. I hope they do the right thing and conclude that it must be relocated to another part of the airport site away from residential homes.”

Cllr Nicky Massey added: “As local councillors we stand with our residents. I am shocked that the radar went up without proper engagement with us and those most likely to be affected. Had there been such a process then we would not be where we are now. Marshall must think again and place the mast elsewhere.”

A petition has been set up by the councillors to allow local people the opportunity to add their voice to the call to relocate the radar mast. It also asks Marshall to pause work on testing the radar while they conduct their review.

The petition can be found here: https://www.cambridgelabour.org.uk/ward/abbey/radarpetition