World-News

SARAH HALL
31 October 2006 09:18

More than a hundred people attended a public meeting to object to plans for a mobile phone mast near homes on the outskirts of Norwich.

People living in Thorpe St Andrew crammed into Dussindale Community Centre on Monday night to voice their concerns over the 22.5 metre mast on land near to the Fitzmaurice Pavilion off Pound Lane.

Telecommunications giant 3, formerly Hutchison 3G, has applied to Broadland District Council for approval for the mast, but families are worried about the potential health risks from living in the shadow of the equipment as well as it ruining the surrounding environment.

The meeting, held by Thorpe St Andrew Parish Council, indicated a total lack of support for the mast with many people claiming it should be placed on a more industrial site rather than near people's gardens.

Michelle Borman, 26, who lives off Pound Lane, said: No one wants this mast here. We have not been consulted fairly over this. It is going to be ugly and will ruin the look of the place. It will affect the sale of homes here and there are possible harmful effects that are not worth thinking about.

“Many of my friends and neighbours have children and grandchildren and many are constantly worried about the risks to their health. Some people are talking about moving away.”

Thorpe St Andrew parish councillors agreed to take the objections, including a petition, to Broadland District Council.

Chairman Dennis Eley said: “These plans are not set in stone. This is not a done deal and we are listening to people's views. We will take these comments to Broadland Council who are dealing with the application.”

The Evening News has fought 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 battling a mobile phone mast application where you live? Telephone Evening News reporter Peter Walsh on (01603) 772439 or email peter.walsh@archant.co.uk

Copyright © 2006 Archant Regional. All rights reserved.

http://tinyurl.com/y89bh2

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New threat from Thorpe phone mast

The 120ft mast in Furze Road, Thorpe St Andrew.

PETER WALSH
01 November 2006 09:45

Families and schoolchildren living in the shadow of a 120ft mast could soon have to contend with even more antennae being added to the tower.

The NTL owned mast in Furze Road, which towers over Thorpe St Andrew, is already covered in more than a dozen mobile phone antennae and is close to St Williams Primary School and a sheltered housing complex.

But in the past few days the St Williams Loke school has been notified by Arqiva Ltd, formerly the broadcast arm of NTL Group, that Vodafone has requested to install additional dish antenna on the tower.

The proposal is part of a plan to “enhance the coverage and the quality of the signal of their existing second generation cellular telephone service for Thorpe St Andrew and the surrounding area”.

But Peter Harwood, a governor at St Williams Primary school, said he would be opposed to any extra antennae being put on the mast. He said: “We've lived here for more than 30 years and it's totally inappropriate for a residential area. In terms of the school I certainly do have concerns with children being exposed to what are unquantified risks - we simply don't know what the long-term health effects of these masts might be.”

Mr Harwood, also a county councillor for Woodside division, said the application would be raised again with the governors who were likely to be opposed to the scheme because it was so near the school and homes.

The Evening News - through our Put Masts on Hold campaign - has fought for years against the installation of mobile phone masts near homes and schools until it is proved safe.

Dr Ian Gibson, a long-time supporter of our campaign, said he was amazed there could be yet more antenna added to the towering St William's Way mast.

“I shouldn't think there's any more room on that mast,” he said. “I didn't know there was a problem (with coverage), but here we go again - their arrogance is boundless. I guess they will get away with it, but the majority of people are against masts on their own doorstep.”

A spokesman for Vodafone said: “This is about improving the robustness of our network, part of a national programme looking at the way base stations link together.” The additional dishes would not “increase the exposure at ground level”.

Last year, the Evening News reported how families in the area were worried about proposals by O2 to put an extra three antennae on the mast. It came just three months after Sir William Stewart, chairman of the National Radiological Protection Board, published an independent report calling for a precautionary approach to masts near homes and schools.

The mast, which has been at the site since the 1950s, is now owned by communications company NTL. It leases space to O2 Orange and T mobile. NTL has said its sites are professionally managed and comply with international safety standards. Families had blamed the structure for causing their loved ones to develop cancers, although the company has denied the allegations.

Are you fighting a mobile phone application near where you live? Call Peter Walsh on 01603 772439 or e-mail peter.walsh@archant.co.uk

Copyright © 2006 Archant Regional. All rights reserved.

http://tinyurl.com/yz6xcb

A PETITION against plans to install a mobile phone transmitter inside an East Lothian church has gathered 1000 signatures.

O2's bid to install a base station mast in the Haddington West Church tower has already attracted protests by an action group set up specifically to fight the proposal, called No 2 O2. Click to learn more...

The mobile phone giant has lodged a planning application with East Lothian Council.

But people living in the area hope strength of feeling will force the company to scrap its plans, or that council planners will turn them down.

Church officials have yet to make a final decision on whether to allow the move in return for funding, and are currently liaising with members of the congregation and the local community.

If the church agrees to the mast's installation, and planning procedures are negotiated by O2, it would be between nine months and a year before the structure was erected.

A further year would elapse before the church received any financial benefit to help maintain the building.

If the move goes ahead, the money from O2 will be used to help treat areas of dry rot in the church.

©2006 Scotsman.com

http://news.scotsman.com/edinburgh.cfm?id=1605442006

Take a look at the Fisher German website, it provides some interesting articles/information with regards to advice to land owners of mobile phone mast sites. I've included a couple of the items in this e-mail.

Best wishes

Eileen O'Connor
Trustee - EM Radiation Research Trust
http://www.radiationresearch.org


-----Original Message-----
From: webmaster(at)fishergerman.co.uk
Sent: 30 October 2006 11:31
To: eileen(at)smokestackltd.co.uk
Subject: Fisher German: message from

Dear Eileen O\'Connor,

Eileen O\'Connor (eileen(at)smokestackltd.co.uk) has sent you a link to a page on the Fisher German website:

2005-11-19

Fisher German is increasingly finding cases where owners wish to remove telecommunications sites off their property; normally because they have or are... The Disappearing Telecoms Sites

http://www.fishergerman.co.uk/file/203/telecom-sites.html

The Fisher German Team http://www.fishergerman.co.uk

Telecom Sites - lift & shift Print Email Bookmark
19/11/2005

Fisher German is increasingly finding cases where owners wish to remove telecommunications sites off their property; normally because they have or are hoping to obtain planning permission for an alternative use on their property.

Currently many of our clients for this type of work are private individuals, companies, schools, police forces and hospitals.

There may be other reasons like 'health and safety' issues near schools or the site is potentially depreciating residential or commercial property.

If the lease was originally well drawn up, then there should be provision to serve the telecommunications company with notice to quit if the site is going to be redeveloped. However, in a lot of the earlier leases, when people were not properly advised, there was no such 'lift and shift' clause.

The Fisher German telecoms team increasingly finds that they are instructed to act for owners of commercial, residential and agricultural properties which are effected by telecom sites. We then enter into negotiations with the telecommunications company to remove them completely, or relocate them to another part of the owner's property.

The cost to the telecommunications company of building a replacement site can typically be between £100,000 - £150,000 or if they need to split the 'cell' and build two sites instead, then the total cost can be £200,000 - £300,000. It is, therefore, imperative to get proper professional legal and surveyor's advice to negotiate with the telecoms company to move the site and mitigate the cost.

For Further Information contact Mark Newton on 01858 4112125

Related Views Landowners advised to stand firm on telecoms contracts as Vodafone profits tumble

2006-08-01 | Mark Newton

FRICS Farmers and landowners with telecom mast sites have been warned that companies are reviewing their portfolios and are looking to decommission some rural sites that are proving to be... New Venture for Utility Department

2006-02-14 | Claire Priestner BSc(Hons) MRICS FAAV Claire Priestner BSc(Hons) MRICS FAAV is appointed new managing director of Fisher German Priestner Limited... Press for higher Telecom returns

2005-12-07 | Mark Newton FRICS FG advise, "landowners could expect higher returns from telecom lease renewals." The Disappearing Telecoms Sites

2005-11-17 | Mark Newton FRICS The uptake for third generation ‘3G’ telephones has not taken off in this country as fast as expected... Rent reviews for telecommunications sites

2005-10-27 | Mark Newton FRICS Check your next Telecom Rent Review Date.

Also:

http://www.fishergerman.co.uk/file/210/the-disappearing-telecoms-sites.html They included the following message: Fisher German website on mobile phone masts

The Disappearing Telecoms Sites Print Email Bookmark
17/11/2005 Mark Newton FRICS Partner Mark has a wide ranging experience in all aspects of professional work. He is also one of the country’s leading experts in telecoms sites and wind farms.

The uptake for third generation ‘3G’ telephones has not taken off in this country as fast as expected. This has resulted in some of the telecommunications companies looking at their existing masts to see if they are still financially viable.

Fisher German has found that there are quite a few cases across the country where telecoms companies are now abandoning less profitable rural sites. It is very important that owners of telecoms sites are aware that their local council could charge business rates if a mast is left standing after it has been handed back, but there may be opportunities for other telecoms companies to utilise these masts. Where leases have been properly drawn up, there should be a clause relating to the re-instatement of the site back to its original condition and there are opportunities for owners to receive a substantial one-off capital payment for dealing with this work themselves. Fisher German has also found cases where telecoms companies want to abandon sites but the lease does not allow them to break it, which can produce interesting negotiations as rent must continue to be paid.

Landowners are also losing out as the telecoms companies have now developed powerful, smaller telecoms masts and are locating up to 60% of these on the edge of the public highway in the verge under the Street Works Act. When masts are located on the verge they pay no rent, rather than on an adjoining farmer’s land where rent would be due.

Mark Newton, Partner at Fisher German says: “The main problem of sites in road verges is that there may be highways issues, problems with underground services and they may be near residential dwellings. Normally these masts are disguised as street furniture, ie wooden telegraph poles or lamp posts. Their height may be limited to that of the adjacent streetlights. Subsequently they do not necessarily provide as much coverage as a normal traditional 15 metre mast on a Greenfield site.”

The telecoms network is getting nearly fully mature, and a lot of the telecoms companies have put on hold building new sites until 3G fully takes off.

If you do get approached for any new sites or decommissioning your existing site, it is important to get proper professional advice and contact Fisher German’s telecoms team, telephone number 01858 411246.

A COUNCILLOR has raised concerns about a move to build a mobile phone mast next to a popular sports facility.

Earlier this year, the council voted to rent its land to mobile phone companies for masts, provided they were on non-contentious sites.

Contentious sites were identified as those close to schools, nurseries, open space near playgrounds or residential property.

Rosebank and Waterside councillor Jack Young is concerned that a mobile phone company has contacted the council about siting a mast next to Merkland playing fields.

He said: "It would be hypocritical of me to criticise mobile phone masts, because I use a mobile phone.

"I know the council made this decision because suitable land is becoming very scarce. However, I am extremely unhappy that an approach has been made by a private company to site a mast near the running track at Merkland Outdoor Recreation Centre.

"This facility is widely used by many young people and has only just been upgraded to contain all-weather football pitches.

"Since finding out about this I have made arrangements to meet with senior sports facility officers at the council to express my concerns.

"A petition is also being organised by constituents and will be submitted to the council's chief executive."

A spokesperson for East Dunbartonshire Council said: "There is an established, council-approved procedure for dealing with enquiries from telecommunications operators who approach us with proposals to put their equipment on council land.

"This procedure is currently being followed in relation to the approach by 3G for the Merkland site. No decisions have yet been made.

"Should the proposal be submitted as a planning application, the council's planning policy on telecommunications development will be adhered to."

30 October 2006

All rights reserved © 2006 Johnston Press Digital Publishing.

http://www.kirkintillochtoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=956&ArticleID=1849644

- DATABASE SANTE (2ème partie) :
- Les études mondiales avec l'index des index.
- Résumé en Français de 300 publications d'études.
- Le dossier thématique du CHU de BREST (France).
- Les Appels des Medecins . . .

http://www.next-up.org/Newsoftheworld/DatabaseCemEmfIndex.php#1

DAN GRIMMER, NAOMI CANTON

28 October 2006 09:30

A mobile phone firm has exploited a legal loophole so a mast will be put up near homes - even though city council planning officers had turned down the application.

Families in Newmarket Road who won their fight to stop O2 from installing a 12.5m mast outside their homes were today dealt a hammer blow when it turned out the mast will be put up after all.

The problem arose because Norwich City Council officers only telephoned the mobile phone firm to tell them that they would need prior approval from the city council to install the mast.

But O2 has seized on a legal ruling over a mast in Carmarthenshire, where it was established that telephoning the firm to tell them that was not good enough - councils have to write to them.

Even though the council's planning committee decided in March to throw out the mast because of its situation and appearance, the firm is claiming consent by default because of the judgement since then.

The city council has tried to negotiate an alternative location but that has not been successful - and now the council is powerless to prevent the mast from being put up.

Leader of the city council Steve Morphew said:“I am angry that the will of the council and the residents has been thwarted,” he said. “We were following the rules as they were set down. I am appalled at the cynicism of the mobile phone company and I will be writing to them.”

Stuart Orrin, head of planning at the city council has written to families affected by O2s dirty tactics apologising for what has happened and explaining measures had been put in place to stop the loophole being exploited again.

Jane Malynn's house sale fell through earlier this year because of the mast proposals directly outside her house. She finally managed to sell after it was on the market 18 months to a different buyer.

Chris Hull, Green county councillor for Town Close ward, who headed the campaign against the mast, said: “My reaction is this rather reveals the problems we are having generally with the planning regulations in this country where a council can make a decision and it is then overthrown by a quirk and by cunning legal advice. It's just very wrong and I feel for the residents. It's similar to Tesco in that they are known for using every legal trick in the book and ignoring a democratic process.”

Are you battling a mobile phone mast where you live? Telephone Evening News reporter Peter Walsh on 01603 772439 or email peter.walsh@archant.co.uk

Copyright © 2006 Archant Regional. All rights reserved.

http://tinyurl.com/yld53l

http://www.emfacts.com/weblog/index.php?p=574
http://www.emfacts.com/weblog/index.php?p=576

DOMINIC CHESSUM

27 October 2006 08:54

Families fighting controversial plans for a mobile phone mast near their homes today appeared to have won their battle before it had even begun.

Mobile phone company 02 had sparked fury among people living near to land off Ivy Road, in Earlham, by asking owner the Nelm Development Trust if it would allow a 22-metre mast on the site.

If accepted, the mobile company would then submit a formal application to Norwich City Council.

However, David Ralph, executive director of Nelm, said today he would recommend the proposal be refused at its next board meeting on November 6.

He said: “This was an unsolicited approach to us. It is for a former school site which we took over from the council three or four years and we are currently consulting with the community. There is an overwhelming number of residents not in favour. The recommendation I will be making is that we do not accept this proposal.”

The news has been welcomed by the Earlham Mast Fight Campaign, which is still urging people to sign an online petition.

John Clayton, a campaign organiser from Ivy Road, said: “We feel we still need to make residents and businesses aware, and their views known to the Nelm Trust.

“At the next meeting of the Nelm board, we would like them to consider implementing a policy of rejecting solicitations from telecommunication developers.

“We also feel the Nelm Development trust needs to consult much more with its residents on matters of importance. Telecommunication companies and Norwich City Council should also make concerted efforts to inform local communities about phone mast proposals.”

Jemma Shutter, also from Ivy Road, said: “We are still hoping to get some momentum behind our campaign for the meeting. If people go to the meeting they can lobby and hear what's being discussed.”

Rupert Read, who represents the Wensum ward on the city council, said: “I think this has come about as a result of pressure from local residents and green councillors. We must keep up that pressure to make sure the right decision is made.

“O2 have now shifted attention to another site, the police station on the round about at Earlham Road. I would urge any residents who want to fight this to contact us.”

To sign the petition, log on to to http://www.gopetition.com/online/9916.html

Rupert Read can be contacted on 01603 219294 or by e-mail at r.read@cllr.norwich.gov.uk

The Nelm board meeting will be held on November 6 at 5.30pm at the Gurney Centre, Irstead Road, Norwich.

Are you fighting a mobile phone mast near you? Contact reporter Dominic Chessum on 01603 772428 or e-mail dominic.chessum@eveningnews.co.uk

Copyright © 2006 Archant Regional. All rights reserved.

http://tinyurl.com/thvul

By East Lothian Newsroom

Thursday October 26, 2006

PROTESTERS have collected almost 1,000 signatures opposing a plan to install a mobile phone transmitter inside Haddington West Church.

Members of the newly-formed action group NO 2 O2 staged silent protests outside the church prior to the start of services on Sunday.

Mobile phone operator O2 hopes to install a ‘base station’ inside the church tower and a planning application is under consideration by East Lothian Council.

Church officials, however, have yet to make their final decision, irrespective of whether planning consent is granted.

One of the leading lights in the campaign to stop the base station from going ahead is Desiree Dunkinson of Victoria Road.

The mother of a 10-year-old child, she is concerned about the possibility of harmful radiation emitting from the base station.

She said she was encouraged by the support of those who had signed the petition – and the 30-strong protest on Sunday.

“Mobile phone mast emissions heighten the risk of leukaemia, especially childhood leukaemia,” claimed Mrs Dunkinson.

“Having seen two cousins go through that disease, I just would not like to see anybody else going through that process.

“I think you could lessen the chance by putting masts up a safe distance from people, especially kids”

She added: “There are many more health effects, but the leukaemia one is the one that grabs me personally the most.

“The thought that somebody else could go through that disease just because of an unsafe siting of a mobile phone mast is just not on.”

She stressed that she had nothing against the West Church – pointing out that it played a pivotal role in the community – but claimed that independent research had shown that people living within 300 metres of such a mast could “suffer serious health effects”.

Church officials issued a fresh statement this week, revealing that discussions on the O2 plan were to continue.

“The (congregational) board intends to continue listening to the views of members of the congregation and of the wider community in addition to those of national agencies charged with regulating and assessing the safety of mobile phone masts,” said a spokesman.

“The board has noted that there are more than 35,000 mobile phone masts in the UK, a number of them in church buildings, some of which are in our area, and that this number is projected to increase.

“Also that the General Trustees of the Church of Scotland have expressed themselves ‘sufficiently satisfied regarding the health issue to continue entering these applications’ (for congregations), but have given an assurance that ‘the matter will be kept constantly under review’.”

The Presbytery of Lothian, added the spokesman, had given its permission for the mast’s erection should the church decide to proceed, and he said that all negotiations with O2 would be handled by the Church of Scotland.

“Members of the board are aware that installation of the mast would not be groundbreaking in national or local terms, but are also aware that local circumstances and views require to be given consideration,” he added.

It is understood that, if the church agrees to the mast’s installation and planning procedures are negotiated by O2, it would be between nine months and a year before the mast was erected – and a further year before the church would receive any financial benefit to help maintain the building.

Cash from allowing O2 to install the transmitter would help alleviate the church’s serious dry rot problem.

http://www.eastlothiancourier.com/?module=displaystory&story_id=1875&format=html