World-News

http://news.independent.co.uk/health/article2609317.ece


Paul Raymond Doyon
MAT (TESOL), MA Advanced Japanese Studies, BA Psychology

"All that is necessary for evil to triumph is for good men to do nothing"



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Sunday, June 03, 2007

By Joe Oliver

Education Minister Caitriona Ruane has been urged to HALT the expansion of wireless internet networks in schools over fears they could be exposing kids to cancer.

Walter Graham, chairman of the Northern Ireland Against Masts lobby group, is also demanding that systems already in use should be switched off.

The call came after it was revealed that classroom 'wi-fi' networks give off three times as much radiation as a typical mobile phone mast.

Wi-fi works by transmitting information via radio waves from a telephone line to a computer and back.

Wireless networks have been installed in 19 schools here and another 30 have opted to purchase the system.

The controversy surrounding the hi-tech system was recently highlighted on BBC's Panorama when researchers found the maximum signal strength from just one laptop was three times higher than that of a mobile phone mast.

Scientists believe children may be more vulnerable to radio-frequency radiation emissions than adults because their skulls are thinner.

Mr Graham fears the wi-fi revolution could be a ticking health timebomb.

"The authorities say it's safe but there has been no long-term studies to prove this. It's like having a phone mast in the classroom because small transmitters are attached to the laptops and therefore close to a child's body.

"We don't need this system because computers work fine through the conventional telephone."

He is hoping to recruit a number of international experts to make a presentation to the Assembly.

"It is vital MLAs should have this information and equally important that the minister halts the expansion of wi-fis in our schools until the health effects are known and understood," added Mr Graham.

A spokesman for Ms Ruane said: "The British Educational Communications and Technology Agency (Becta) recommended the deployment of wireless networks in schools.

"On the basis of current evidence and expert safety advice, Becta believes that there is no need to change its advice and discourage the use of wireless networks."

© Belfast Telegraph

http://www.sundaylife.co.uk/news/article2609409.ece



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http://omega.twoday.net/search?q=Wi-Fi

By Tony Belshaw

Unhappy: Phone mast protesters at the junction of Osbourne Road and Union Road Nether Edge Picture: Barry Richardson

False chimneys: Graphic of how the proposed Henry Hall chimneys that will house mobile phone masts will look

HORRIFIED residents in Nether Edge are opposing plans to place six mobile phone antennae on the roof of a building.

Vodaphone wants to hide the antennae in two false chimney stacks at either end of Henry Hall, on the corner of Union Road and Osbourne Road.

The firm say they're needed because the company must quit its present site on Sheffield Hallam University's Psalter Lane campus. That building is due to be redeveloped into flats.

More than a dozen other sites were considered including the roofs of Psalter Lane Salvation Army HQ, and St Andrew's Church on Psalter Lane.

The Georgian Henry Hall building is currently occupied by a shopfitting company.

Richard Ward, of Osbourne Road, a former chairman of the Nether Edge Neighbourhood Group, said if the proposal went ahead it would set a dangerous precedent for the conservation area.

He said building false chimneys on long established buildings was contrary to everything the conservation area stands for.

Protestors are planning a petition and lobbying their councillors in a bid to block the plan.Mr Ward said: "If this is allowed to go ahead in Nether Edge it will set a precedent. I believe that if I applied to build six chimneys on top of my house I would be turned down.

"Nether Edge Conservation Area is the largest in the city.

"The changes clearly affect the architectural integrity of the building. It could be argued they establish a precedent for unnecessary alterations to key buildings of historical interest."

He added longer term public health impact of mobile phone related radiation sources were not known, and that house prices could be affected.

Rachael Neal, also of Osbourne Road, added: "The consultation has been poor. Even the closest resident to the proposed masts was not leafleted. We feel it is like they are trying to sneak it in by the back door."

The firm will submit a planning application later this month.

Dr Rob Matthews from Vodaphone said: "We haven't submitted a planning application yet. We have written to local councillors, the planning department, we've sent letters to local residents and we've put site notices up. We have also set up a website.

"In this case we felt that the use of fake chimneys would help the antennae to blend in with the surroundings in a residential area."

The plans can be found on the internet at http://www.planninginformationpack.com and protesters have set up their own website - http://www.stopthemast.org.uk

All rights reserved ©2007 Johnston Press Digital Publishing

http://www.sheffieldtoday.net/news?articleid=2923367

A mobile phone company will not be allowed to erect a mast in Durham City after planners ruled the installation would be too ugly.

More than 120 people wrote to Durham City Council opposing a plan by 02UK to erect a 12m mast on land at the junction of Crossgate Peth and The Avenue.

The site is near St Margaret's Primary School and at the point of Crossgate Peth where the school crossing patrol operates.

Mobile phone companies are legally allowed to put masts on or near footpaths, provided they do not cause a hazard to pedestrians.

Parents of pupils at the school objected on health grounds, even though planners give little or no consideration to the issue of health
because the Government has ruled the masts are safe.

But planners are obliged to take into account the visual impact of the application, particularly as the mast would have been erected in Durham City's central conservation area.

A report to the city council's development control committee giving reasons for the refusal says: "The proposal by virtue of its siting and appearance fails to preserve or enhance the character and appearance of the conservation area"

The City of Durham Trust and the council's conservation department objected to the mast on visual grounds.

"We didn't make any comments on the health because we are no experts," said the trust's Roger Cornwell.

"The phone company said the area was not residential, but there are 15 properties within 50m of the proposed site.

"I counted about 127 other objectors - if only we could get that many for major applications."

All rights reserved ©2007 Johnston Press Digital Publishing

http://www.sunderlandtoday.co.uk/news?articleid=2924351

SARAH BREALEY

02 June 2007 07:00

Parents who campaigned against a phone mast being built near a primary school have won their battle.

Mobile phone company T-Mobile wanted to put up a 40ft mast disguised as a telephone pole in the centre of Barnby, near Beccles. But protests from villagers have helped to convince planners to turn it down.

Parents at Barnby and North Cove Primary School were against the plans, and there was concern it would overshadow the village war memorial and cause traffic problems. Now officers at Waveney District Council have turned down the mast under delegated powers.

It was rejected because the pole and ground cabinets would have created an "unsightly clutter" and because it was "close to a residential area and the primary school and it was considered a precautionary approach should be adopted, following strong expression of possible health risks from local people."

But T-Mobile says possible health risks are not grounds for refusal, and that the government says the structures are safe.

Planners also felt T-Mobile had not sufficiently demonstrated there was no alternative site.

Adam Gill, who campaigned against the mast and whose daughters attend the school, said: "It is really good news."

Copyright © 2007 Archant Regional. All rights reserved.

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Published on 01/06/2007

A SERIES of 100-foot high telecommunication masts are to spring up along the Tyne Valley railway line.

For Network Rail has exploited a loophole in the planning regulations which means the masts – twice the height of normal mobile phone masts – do not need planning consent.

Mobile phone mast applications usually attract considerable opposition, due to public fears about radiation.

Feelings are running particularly high in Bardon Mill, where one of the five masts in the district will be sited.

The village was subjected to a purge by Tynedale Council last year, when local businesses were ordered to remove advertising signs from the A69 trunk roads because they were unsightly.

Since then, business in Bardon Mill has nosedived spectacularly as traffic sweeps by unaware of the village’s attractions.

However, angry residents have pointed out that the new mast will be twice the height of local landmark, the Errington Reay Pottery chimney, and will be a real blot on the landscape.

“How can there be one rule for local people, and another for the railway?” asked one villager.

Another Bardon Mill resident Stephen Gibbon said: “Network Rail appears to have disregarded the findings of the Stuart Report into mobile phone masts, which says they should not be erected near domestic properties.

“This one will be only 34 metres away from the nearest house.”

The masts will be spaced every four or five miles along the line, which is one of the oldest in the world.

Householders along the length of the line are finding that work has already started on laying the groundwork for the towers.

Robert Allcock, from Riding Mill, said work was well under way on a mast right outside his house at Low Shilford.

He said: “The Network Rail website says it takes care to site these masts away from houses, and that it consults with residents within 100m of masts.

“The project manager covering the work here told me today that in fact what the company does is write to us after it has built all the foundations and is ready to assemble the actual mast, just to notify us that it is finishing the job.”

Mr Allcock has already contacted Hexham’s MP Peter Atkinson, and Tynedale Council’s director of planning Helen Winter to express concern about the development.

Helen Winter, director of planning at Tynedale Council, said: “In response to the serious concerns raised by residents we have spoken to Network Rail, who have consequently agreed put all work on hold and to undertake a full review of all five mast sites in Tynedale. We will be keeping in close contact with Network Rail as they review the sites.

“Although they informed us of their proposals in October 2006 as far as the council is concerned the responsibility for consultation with the community lies firmly with Network Rail themselves. It is important that concerns are raised directly with Network Rail via their National helpline on 08457 114141.”

The Tyne Valley line towers are part of a national network of more than 2,000 masts going up across the entire rail system.

A Network Rail spokesman said: “We are sorry that people have concerns about the introduction of these masts.

“They are an essential part of a new national safety system which will provide the UK's first nationwide train driver-to-signaller communication network.

“It fulfils a key recommendation from Lord Cullen's report into the Ladbroke Grove rail accident and will provide a safer railway for passengers.

“The masts will only be used for railway purposes, are not mobile phone masts and will be well within UK safety and international emissions guidelines.

“If we have to site a mast within 100m of residential buildings we write to residents before starting work to inform them.”

View this story and the latest newspaper in full digital reproduction, just like the printed copy at http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk/digitalcopy

http://www.hexham-courant.co.uk/news/viewarticle.aspx?id=504539

By Lucy Stephens

The gnome in place at the Sheriff Hutton mast

CAMPAIGNERS protesting against a mobile phone mast in their community have won support from an unusual source - a garden gnome.

The small figurine has appeared next to a 15-foot mast in Sheriff Hutton, near York, which has been the subject of a fierce protest campaign by local people.

The gnome appeared next to the mast this weekend bearing the legend: "Masts stunt growth. I used to be six foot tall."

Local campaigner John Botting said: "It's generated quite some response.

"I don't know who put it there. It arrived over the course of the weekend, it's taking pride of place and it looks very happy there."

Mr Botting said other residents concerned about the mast, including himself, were now thinking of buying other gnomes to keep the new village arrival happy - and to provide a public protest against the mast.
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The saga over Sheriff Hutton's mast has been rumbling on for well over a year, since it was put up by phone provider Orange.

Officials from Ryedale District Council had failed to make representations about the mast within the allotted timescale - which meant it was put up anyway.

So far, Orange has not switched it on.

Local villagers are angry about the mast, and have clubbed together to find the £60,000 that it would cost to take it down - through asking for loans and remortgaging their homes.

But campaigners say they have reached a stalemate in talks with Orange.

Mr Botting said: "It's just been so hard for us. They're very determined to turn it on and this is one way for us to see we don't want this - the village doesn't want it. Site it somewhere else - the village is prepared to pay."

Campaigners are protesting because they fear the health impact of having the mast close to their homes.

But Martin Grey, of Orange, said there was no scientific basis for relocating the mast because of its proximity to properties.

He said direct action by "a limited number of residents" had prevented the mast being used. Orange intended intended to take forward plans to connect power to it.

© Copyright 2001-2007 Newsquest Media Group

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Honeybees are vanishing en masse
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/05/31/AR2007053102355.html


Informant: binstock



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By Pamela Duncan

RESIDENTS in the Monaleen/Castletroy/Annacotty area have described as "unbelievable”, Limerick County Council’s decision to grant planning retention for a telecommunications mast on the grounds of Aisling Annacotty FC.

Meteor Mobile Communications were granted retention for a 10 metre floodlight monopole support structure with attached radio antennae and telecommunications dishes, on an already existing floodlight on May 22.

Residents argue that the mast would be erected in a residential area and in the vicinity of a creche and a secondary school, as well as being sited on a sports ground utilised by children. They have cited health fears as their main concern and noted that reports, such as the Stewart report in England, suggested that mobile phone radiation could be hazardous to health and that children were more susceptible to this risk.

Locals say government regulations indicate that operators should endeavour to locate in industrial estates or in industrially zoned lands.

"The Aisling Annacotty playing pitch is zoned as recreational and educational site under the existing Limerick County Council guidelines. National guidelines also state that such structures should not be erected near crèches or schools,” one local resident, who did not wish to be named, told the Limerick Post.

However, senior planner for Limerick County Council, Gerry Sheeran, says that these guidelines date back to 1996, while a report commissioned by the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources just two months ago, stated: "There is no scientific basis for, or evidence of adverse health affects effecting either children or adults as a result of their exposure to RF (radio frequencies) from phone masts”.

But the decision by Limerick County Council to grant permission is sure to further rile residents because the council actually issued an enforcement order against Meteor in July last year, to remove the mast. The matter was subsequently brought to the courts but was later adjourned so that the planning procedure could take its course.

However, Limerick County Council have now say that because Meteor attached the antenna to an already existing floodlight, that they are, in turn, exempt from planning.

For successful Dail candidate, Kieran O’Donnell, the timing of the council’s decision proved somewhat of an embarrassment as he had assured residents that permission would be denied.

He said he greeted the council’s decision with "disbelief and amazement”, and described the erection of a mast "in the middle of a recreational amenity surrounded by residential houses”, as "completely inappropriate”.

He added that the planning permission was inconsistent with similar applications, such as that in Bilboa, Cappamore, for which planning permission was denied, in late 2006.

He said that permission for the mast should have been denied on a number of points, including the visual impact and the potential affect on house prices in the area. He added that there are a number of telecommunications masts circling that area to which the service provider could have relocated.

"I firmly believe that there is more than adequate cover for all service providers in the area and that this is as much about Meteor securing somewhere that they can charge other operators for co-location,” O’Donnell concluded.

Objections to the mast were submitted by Minister Willie O’Dea and Michael Noonan, Castletroy College, and residents of Castlemara, Riverbank and Newtown Park, amongst others.

An appeal is expected to be lodged with an Bord Pleanala.

© Limerick Post Newspapers 2006

http://www.limerickpost.ie/dailynews.elive?id=7942&category=Daily-Thu

31 May 2007 | 08:12

A SECOND attempt could be made to put up a mobile phone mast in a Colchester street where residents previously staged a blockade with their cars.

Hutchison 3G (UK) Ltd was given permission to put a mast at the junction of Berechurch Hall Road and Lethe Grove in 2002 after Colchester Borough Council failed to decide on the application in time.

Residents were outraged and when contractors arrived to erect the mast, they parked their cars on the piece of land and the mast was never put up.

Now five years on, Hutchison 3G wants to put a phone mast further up Berechurch Hall Road, at its junction with Mersea Road.

It has submitted an application to Colchester Borough Council which must be dealt with by July 12.

Berechurch ward councillor Terry Sutton said: “I have heard from several people who are annoyed about it.

“Residents will not be able to park their cars and stop it this time as there are double yellow lines on the road so they would be looking at £60 fines.

“The application is basically saying can the council determine if the mast needs permission but it effectively doesn't.

“You can object on design grounds but they are designed these days to fit into the street scene. It is very hard to find ways to stop it.”

Mr Sutton said he had asked Hutchison 3G to confirm they would not also try to use the Lethe Grove junction site, permission for which still exists, but had not had a response.

A spokesman for the firm said: “I can confirm there are current plans for a site at Berechurch Hall Road and Mersea Road but we have no plans for the Lethe Grove site.

“There is demand for Hutchison services in this area and under the terms of the licence we have with the UK government we have to provide a service.

“We have found a good site which we want to use in that area.”

Sue Jackson, principle planning officer for Colchester Borough Council, said: “Because of its height the mast doesn't need planning permission as such but we do need to approve its setting and design which is known as prior approval application.”

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