World-News

The Council recently refused a prior notice application (7/0877/06/P4D/WOL) to fit an existing lamppost with a mobile phone mast at Adamsfield in Cheshunt.

The application was rejected by the Council because the three, four metre shrouded antennas were to be located immediately to the rear of 28-29 Bencroft. There is no screening at this point. A few smaller trees are located either side of the site but it was felt that in the location proposed in the application, which was on a bend in the road, the mast would be too visible and intrusive in a residential area.

The application was also refused because of concerns over highway safety as a ‘cherry picker’ vehicle would have to park on the highway adjacent to the lamppost to both install the mast and subsequently to carry out maintenance. This would force motorists travelling down the hill towards Longfield Lane to use the opposite carriageway.

The applicant has a right of appeal which must be lodged within six months from the date of the decision notice (2 November 2006). If an appeal is lodged, all the original consultees will be notified by the Council. The Council received around 130 letters of objection from local residents.

http://www2.broxbourne.gov.uk/press/News3.aspx?PressID=4986

GPS surveillance creeps into daily life

New Standard
by Catherine Komp

11/14/06

For $5.99 per month, you can turn a cell phone into a surveillance device and track when your target leaves home, where he or she travels and at what speed. You can even detect how much battery power is left on the phone. Marketed as 'virtual eyes' on your kids or employees, the service also allows you to construct a virtual 'fence' so that you can receive electronic alerts if the phone's carrier crosses into forbidden areas. ... 'The problem is people are making these acquisitions of technology without hearing the tradeoff, hearing the downside, hearing the flipside of the discussion,' said Lillie Coney, associate director at the Electronic Privacy Information Center (EPIC) ... 'If we raise kids with no expectation of privacy, then they're going to become adults and voters and people of influence in society with no expectation of privacy,' he said. 'All the expectations of privacy are going to be eroded by the population of adults who grew up with no privacy and don't see the problem with trading away privacy...

http://newstandardnews.net/content/?action=show_item&itemid=3886


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp



http://freepage.twoday.net/search?q=surveillance

Nov 16, 6:07 pm

A new mobile phone mast installed on a Killybegs hotel is causing concern among locals who fear it may pose a health risk.

An existing O2 mast was erected on the roof of the Bayview hotel some years ago but the 3G network have added a second mast in recent months which hasn't yet been activated.

Locals have requested a meeting with local councillors to air their views on the matter.

Killybegs' based councillor, Thomas Pringle doesn't feel the second mast is exempt from planning regulations as the applicant is claiming.

http://www.oceanfm.ie/onair/donegalnews.php?articleid=000003782

MORETON Town Council has voted to fight plans by telecom giant O2 to site a 50ft mast in Evenlode Road.

They are objecting to the proposal on the grounds that there was no proven need for it.

Cllr Rod Hooper told Monday's meeting of the council that the area was well served already by masts at Todenham, Longborough, and Icocmb.

"There are so many towers around here already," he said. "I think O2 should negotiate with other telecoms providers in the area and share masts.

"People are often worried about the health issue involved with masts and if it was above a school I would be concerned. But in this case there are several masts within reach of Moreton and it's time they all got together and said it's time to start using the existing ones."

Cllr Josie Burford said O2 had not made its case for having the mast.

Town council planning committee chairman Jenny Harris said she thought the proposal fell within planning guidelines, but council members voted to object to the mast by four votes to two.

Gloucestershire County Council, which owns the land described as Evenlode Road Barns, where the mast would be sited, is in favour of the O2 proposal.

Nik Peregrine, county council property services spokeman, said: "The proposal to build a mobile phone mast at Evenlode Road does not conflict with county council policy on the location of masts, as it is not near any schools or residential areas. As such we have given our consent for the mast to go ahead, subject to the approval of the town council."

O2 head of community relations for Gloucestershire Angela Johnson said: "The mast, a slimline monopole, is urgently needed for coverage and capacity in the area. We only build masts where there is an absolute necessity for them, and this site is in the optimum position to fit into our existing network."

© Copyright 2001-2006 Newsquest Media Group

http://tinyurl.com/yjgu5y

A CONTROVERSIAL scheme to install a mobile phone mast at an Edinburgh synagogue has won planning permission.

Three antennas and a transmission dish will be added to the existing mobile phone equipment at the listed Salisbury Road building.

The planning application for the equipment, which was made by T-Mobile, attracted opposition from neighbouring residents, who claimed it would be detrimental to the Blacket conservation area.

The council received eight objection letters from neighbours and one from the Blacket Association.

One objector wrote: "I wish to object to the application on the grounds of the equipment being unsightly, potentially damaging to the local amenity, with the Blacket conservation area to the south and most importantly on the grounds of a potential health hazard through radiation."

Another nearby resident said: "I am very concerned on the health impact from mobile phone airwaves."

But the council's planning officers ruled that the new antennas and transmission dish would not bring about any significant change to the area as there is already mobile phone equipment in place. Councillors agreed to grant planning permission.

Last updated: 16-Nov-06 12:08 GMT

©2006 Scotsman.com

http://news.scotsman.com/edinburgh.cfm?id=1698002006