World-News

DEFIANT protesters have forced developers to abandon work on a controversial phone mast for a second time.

Contractors from mobile phone company O2 arrived at a site in Asfordby Road, Melton, near the entrance to the Town Estate's sports ground, on Monday morning to erect the mast.

But they didn't get very far as protesters had parked a van and cars on the land to stop any work, vowing to guard the site on a 24-hour rota basis.

About 15 local residents with protest banners were at the site on Monday to lend their support.

Protester Paul Shaw (36), of Asfordby Road, slept in the van overnight on Sunday and Monday to keep guard.

He said: "We had a good idea they were coming on Monday.

We're working on a rota basis, staying on site for a couple of hours then swapping over. We have walkie talkies so if anyone turns up we can start ringing around.

"This is about the future health of our children. There's growing evidence that arguments about health effects are becoming more persuasive.

"In other countries like Sweden they are taking a more precautionary approach about siting masts near schools and residential areas.

"They have a stipulation that masts can't be within 500 metres of any residential properties. Our Government has just chosen not to follow that line."

Residents of Asfordby Road, Sysonby Grange Lane and Chetwynd Drive got together in August last year after Melton Council's development committee approved the mast.

And in October they staged a similar sit in which stopped work progressing.

02 agreed to look at alternative sites following the fierce protests but claims there are none that would work.

Mr Shaw, who has two children, Caitlin (3) and Louie (1), added: "They always opt for highways land because they get it rent free. It's the cheapest option."

02 spokesman Angela Johnson confirmed contractors had had to leave the site.

She said: "We're very disappointed because it's a considerable investment in Melton to ensure residents have a good phone service.

"We would hope the residents would be reasonable and move their vehicles away to allow us to build.

"We now have an option to take out a court order but no decision has been made yet."

She added: "We've spoken to representatives from the local community and tried to find an alternative sites but unfortunately there's nothing that will work for us in the area other than that site.

"We're happy to meet residents and talk through their concerns but we can't move that site. If residents would like a meeting I would be happy to pay for the hire of a room."

But concerned mum Elanor Shaw said: "We're very sceptical about them calling meetings. We know it's a public relations exercise to make them look like the good guys.

"We're on high alert and quite aware they're likely to try again but we've got a rota system in place so someone is there all the time."

13 February 2007

All rights reserved © 2007 Johnston Press Digital Publishing.

http://www.meltonmowbraytoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=752&ArticleID=2046174

Residents living next to a site earmarked for a controversial mobile phone mast in Shrewsbury today said they would demonstrate against 02’s planning appeal victory to install it near houses.

The telecommunications firm has been granted planning permission for the 41ft mast on land next to the junction of Copthorne Park and Copthorne Road.

O2’s original application was turned down by Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council last June but the firm got that decision overturned following an appeal to planning inspectors.

Read the full story in the Shropshire Star

© 2007 - all rights reserved

http://www.shropshirestar.co.uk/2007/02/demos-planned-over-mast/

- 12 February 2007

A NUMBER of residents in Ilford braved torrential rain on Monday to protest against the activation of a mobile phone mast.

The mast sat dormant at the junction of Malvern Drive and Longbridge Road for around five years until O2 decided to switch it on last week, much to the outrage of people living nearby.

One said: "It was put up without notifying any of us accept for six flats and we got 300 signatures on a petition within 48 hours and they abandoned using it.

"Now they've decided to activate it."

James Stevenson, of O2, said: "When it was put up we didn't require it for the network. But now we do. BT engineers have been down to connect the wires and they will be back.

Copyright © 2007 Archant Regional. All rights reserved.

http://tinyurl.com/yqevkc

DAVID BALE
12 February 2007 08:51

Campaigners fear an unwelcome precedent has been set after Government bosses overturned a council's refusal of a mobile phone mast.

Broadland District Council's refusal to allow mobile phone giant 02 to build a 12.5 metre mast on the verge in Dussindale Drive, Thorpe St Andrew, has been overturned on appeal.

The application was originally turned down by the council last year amid fears the mast would have a detrimental impact upon the character and appearance of the site, and upon neighbouring properties in Lynn Close and Newcastle Avenue.

Issue was also raised over safety concerns.

However, the planning inspectorate dismissed the refusal, stating there was little evidence to support health fears and that emissions from the mast would be within international guidelines.

Now campaigner Andy Street fears the decision will put more pressure on the authority to approve two other controversial plans.

T-Mobile wants to install a 12m mast, plus telecommunications equipment and cabinets, on the island at the junction of the Ring Road and Pound Lane, opposite Sainsbury's and a pre-application consultation on plans by Vodafone to put six dishes on the existing St William's Way mast, to improve its mobile phone network in the area, ended on Friday .

Mr Street, 69, of Eastern Avenue, Thorpe, said: “It puts more pressure on the council to approve these two new plans.

“In the future if there seems to be a need for a mast it will be very difficult for our council to turn it down, especially if it is going to get overturned in appeal.

“Our concern is that it is the commercial power of the phone mast companies and not the needs of these service users that are driving this. Health and the public's increased stress do not seem to matter. In a democracy we should go with the majority, and most people do not want more masts.”

Mr Street and other campaigners are urging people to attend Thorpe Council's planning committee meeting at the Dussindale centre in Pound Lane at 7.30pm tonight when the mast near Sainsbury's will be discussed.

Comments on either plan can be sent to Broadland District Council up until February 15.

The Evening News has campaigned against the installation of mobile phone masts near homes and schools until it is proved they are safe through our Put Masts on Hold campaign

Are you fighting against a mobile phone mast? Call reporter David Bale on 01603 772427 or e-mail david.bale2 @archant.co.uk

Copyright © 2007 Archant Regional. All rights reserved.

http://tinyurl.com/2druu2

MOBILE phone mast protesters have won the latest round against a phone company which wants to install a mast in Hampden Park. Hutchinson 3G wanted to install a 12.5metre high mast on the public highway in Lindfield Road at its junction with The Broadway. The planning application caused outrage among hundreds of residents, who put their names to a petition and wrote letters of objection urging councillors to throw the plans out. They were concerned about the possible health hazards associated with mobile phone masts and said the area was highly populated with families with young children as well as local schools nearby. Planners said the installation of the mast would be seriously detrimental to the visual amenities of the area and councillors sitting on the town's planning committee refused permission.

11 February 2007

All rights reserved © 2007 Johnston Press Digital Publishing.

http://www.eastbournetoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=488&ArticleID=2036226 (excerpt)