Residents have until next month to comment or object to cell mast applications at two churches in Parkwood and Grassy Park.
Highwave Consultants applied to the City of Cape Town to rezone land at the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church of Parkwood, on the corners of Hyde, Walmer and Lime roads, and the Moravian Church in Sixth Avenue, Grassy Park, from single residential to community zones.
The closing dates for comments are Monday September 2 and Monday September 9 respectively.
The 25-metre cell masts will take up over 1 000 square metres at the Parkwood Church and over 4 000 square metres at the Grassy Park church.
Across the city, residents have been objecting to planned cell masts at churches, schools and other open pieces of land, claiming a fear of illness from electromagnetic radiation and the reduction in their property values but in Parkwood, some residents said they were too preoccupied with more pressing issues than cell masts.
Unaware of the plans, Parkwood resident Celine Powel, who lives near the church, said cell masts are the least of her concerns.
She said the reality for most people in Parkwood is the ongoing issue of housing and poverty.
“To be honest we are facing hard times and cell masts are the last thing I worry about. I live in a backyard with my three children and other family and we are struggling and fighting for houses.
“From what I hear cell masts are bad for the environment and people but not having a house of your own is even worse because our dignity is stripped away from us every day,” she said.
Fairways resident Stuart Asia said he will be objecting to the plans because the neighbourhood’s property values will fall.