Phone Operators Want More Masts

12.46.00pm UTC (GMT +0000) Mon 1st Nov 2004

At a public meeting at York House the leading phone operators told councillors, MP Vincent Cable and other residents' representatives that they would be applying for a substantial number of new mobile phone masts over the next year. A scientist from the radiological regulator sought to give reassurance that there was no proven health risk. The council spokesperson said that the council would use whatever limited powers it has as a planning authority to resist most applications if there are strong planning objections.

Vincent Cable MP, who has secured a debate in Parliament over a controversial mast in Whitton which was directly beamed at St Edmunds school, said that "the meeting was a step forward in establishing a dialogue with the companies some of whom have been crass and insensitive in their dealings with local residents.

"We are still in a surreal legal 'no mans' land' where health effects cannot be used as grounds for opposing a mast application, but perception of health effects can be; this lack of clarity is the fault of the government.

"I expect to see some bitterly fought applications in the next year especially in areas like Whitton where there are few tall buildings or suitable locations to choose from and those that are performed by the operators are highly controversial."