Second mobile giant in anti-mast group's sights
12 October 2006
PARENTS who won their battle to stop a mobile phone giant installing a mast near a school have revealed they have another campaign on their hands.
Residents' action group Orange Squash, who successfully fended off a planning application by Orange, say they face a second campaign following interest from T-Mobile.
The proposed site, yards from Bedonwell Junior School, Bedonwell Road, Belvedere, has been deemed unsuitable by parents who fear for the healthy and safety of their children who attend the school.
Alan Eaton, founder of Orange Squash, said: "These mobile phone companies are like vultures.
"We get rid of one and then there is another waiting in the wings ready to pounce.
"It looks like we have another battle on our hands."
Last month bosses at Orange bowed down to pressure from residents and have revised their planning application to Bexley council, as reported in the Bexley Times.
The initial proposals outlined plans for a mast to be erected 100 yards from Bedonwell Junior School.
But Orange staff have shelved their original plans and have prepared an application for the mast to be installed at least 700 metres away from the school grounds following a eight month battle with the community.
Now T-Mobile is considering plans to erect a similar mast yards from the school.
Mr Eaton, who took his last campaign to Parliament after collecting more than 800 signatures from concerned residents, said the community is 'fed up'.
He added: "We have fought off one company and now there is another. We are fed up of all of this but we will fight another company if we have to."
A spokesman for T-Mobile was unavailable for comment as the Bexley Times went to press.
Orange Squash was backed by veteran journalist Esther Rantzen who led national campaign, SHAME (Schools and Hospitals Against Mast Emissions). For more information visit http://www.shame.org.uk .
Copyright © 2006 Archant Regional. All rights reserved.
http://tinyurl.com/y7dwlm
PARENTS who won their battle to stop a mobile phone giant installing a mast near a school have revealed they have another campaign on their hands.
Residents' action group Orange Squash, who successfully fended off a planning application by Orange, say they face a second campaign following interest from T-Mobile.
The proposed site, yards from Bedonwell Junior School, Bedonwell Road, Belvedere, has been deemed unsuitable by parents who fear for the healthy and safety of their children who attend the school.
Alan Eaton, founder of Orange Squash, said: "These mobile phone companies are like vultures.
"We get rid of one and then there is another waiting in the wings ready to pounce.
"It looks like we have another battle on our hands."
Last month bosses at Orange bowed down to pressure from residents and have revised their planning application to Bexley council, as reported in the Bexley Times.
The initial proposals outlined plans for a mast to be erected 100 yards from Bedonwell Junior School.
But Orange staff have shelved their original plans and have prepared an application for the mast to be installed at least 700 metres away from the school grounds following a eight month battle with the community.
Now T-Mobile is considering plans to erect a similar mast yards from the school.
Mr Eaton, who took his last campaign to Parliament after collecting more than 800 signatures from concerned residents, said the community is 'fed up'.
He added: "We have fought off one company and now there is another. We are fed up of all of this but we will fight another company if we have to."
A spokesman for T-Mobile was unavailable for comment as the Bexley Times went to press.
Orange Squash was backed by veteran journalist Esther Rantzen who led national campaign, SHAME (Schools and Hospitals Against Mast Emissions). For more information visit http://www.shame.org.uk .
Copyright © 2006 Archant Regional. All rights reserved.
http://tinyurl.com/y7dwlm
rudkla - 12. Okt, 16:00
