World-News

Wired
by Momus

09/26/06

I don't have a cell phone. In fact, I'm here today to tell you that they're the work of the devil. Switch yours off for five minutes and I'll explain why .... A hell phone is a device you carry that, when switched on, tells a satellite exactly where you are every few seconds. It's a device with a microphone in it that can transmit all it hears even when you're not consciously making a call. You don't have to be super-paranoid (or bin Laden) to see how this compromises your privacy, and you don't have to read very far in the newspapers to see how little we can trust governments these days not to use, misuse and hoard whatever information they can get on you. It doesn't even have to be the government. It might be a sleazy tabloid journalist, a stalker or the detective employed by your estranged wife. Hell!

http://www.wired.com/news/columns/0,71814-0.html?tw=wn_index_11
http://www.wired.com/news/columns/0,71814-1.html?tw=wn_story_page_next1


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp

CHRYSTON and Muirhead residents claimed a victory this week after a bid to extend a mobile phone mast near a primary school was blocked.

Telecommunications firm Arqiva had applied to North Lanarkshire Council for a 3metre extension to the 22.5metre mast near Drumcavel Road and St Barbara's Primary School.

They had also applied for the addition of three antennae and an equipment cabinet.

A spokesperson for Chryston Community Council said: "We are really happy with the outcome.

"We objected to the mast going up in the first place.

"We tried to find out about the radiation effects in 1996 and were told there was nothing to worry about.

"But we were not convinced and were worried about the effects it could have on the children."

Local councillor Joe Shaw said he supports the community council's campaign and thanked his colleagues at North Lanarkshire Council for refusing the application.

He said: "It's a good decision. No one has convinced us that there is not a link to radiation from these masts.

"We will need to wait and see the outcome when the company appeals the council's decision."

David Porch, director of planning and environment at North Lanarkshire Council, said: "The application was refused on the grounds that the increase in height of the existing telecommunications mast would be detrimental to the amenity of the area, in that the higher mast would be more visible to residents of Muirhead and Mount Ellen and the primary school."

A spokesperson for Arqiva said: "We are disappointed the extension has been refused and will discuss this with O2, on whose behalf we are seeking this change.

"It is thought the development of existing towers is preferable to additional towers being built."

03 October 2006

All rights reserved © 2006 Johnston Press Digital Publishing.

http://www.kirkintillochtoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=956&ArticleID=1801716

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-gF3d4Bva70

Notice: the power cables on this tiny house leading to chimney video uploaded by UK resident this week.


Informant: Gotemf

By Nicola Fenn

John Dornan, councillor for Laindon Park, MP John Baron and resident and campaign leader Jeffrey Goodwin

A row has erupted between Basildon Council and phone giant O2 over the position of a 15-metre-high phone mast in Laindon.

Fierce objections were made by residents, councillors and local schools, when plans for the telecommunications mast at the roundabout at West Mayne and Durham Road, arrived at Basildon Council's planning office.

The council objected to the site, but offered an alternative, at Mayne House in Fenton Way, which they claim O2 accepted.

However O2 insist they never received any suggestions and as 56 days has expired from when the application went in, the company is perfectly within its rights to start work.

Workmen began installing an equipment cabinet and cable lines last week, much to the dismay of local residents.

Maxwell Atkins, of Roosevelt Road, said: "I think it's absolutely disgusting these people can put these things where they want, without any reference to anybody.

"Democracy is thrown out of the window and it doesn't much matter what the residents say or that any council objections count."

Planning enforcement officers at Basildon Council are now investigating the reports.

John Dornan, councillor for Laindon Park, said his phone has been ringing "off the wall" with residents complaining about the work.

He said: "They can't ride roughshod over the people of Laindon and we will stand and fight them."

Jim Stevenson, spokesman for O2 explained how after 56 days, if the local planning authority has not approved or rejected the plans, they can automatically start work.

He said: "The council did write and said they would rather we didn't put it there and we waited for something else to come back from them and it never did.

"Of course we would come back straight away if another site was suggested - we would rather have a local planning authority talk to us.

"Now we've started the work, it's difficult to break it off so we will continue, but we would be willing to move it."

MP John Baron was horrified to hear of O2's behaviour.

He is already involved in the issue after it was revealed 3G technology will mean four times as many masts are required, to support the new service.

He said: "The whole planning issue around phone masts needs to be shaken up.

"We all want to be able to use mobile phones, but this mustn't mean masts are constructed without any regard to the wellbeing of local people.

"It is time for the Government to stop ignoring the views of communities and change the planning laws in favour of residents."

© Copyright 2001-2006 Newsquest Media Group

http://www.thisisessex.co.uk/display.var.949204.0.protest_over_phone_mast.php

PEOPLE in Weeke are celebrating after a mobile phone giant decided it no longer needed a phone mast in Stockbridge Road.

O2 was proposing to install a 15m monopole at the junction with Burnett Close, near the former Chimneys pub, but decided instead to use other resources to enhance coverage in the area.

Winchester anti-mast campaigner, Karen Barratt, a representative of the Wessex Registry of Active Masts, hoped the decision was permanent, and not just put on the backburner until the uncertain future of the area - which has been targeted by two supermarkets - is resolved.

She said: "I'm very pleased. The whole point of doing pre-application consultation is to listen, and it's good that for once they have listened to local people and local feeling.

"People don't want to live near phone masts and they have listened.

"I just wish they did this more often and I'm very pleased they've backed off."

Nick Simpson, who lives opposite the proposed site in Thistledown Close, said he was "absolutely delighted" by the "tremendous news".

He added: "It's great they have seen reason and decided to operate within their existing resources."

St Barnabas Ward councillor, Eileen Berry, who spoke up against the plans for the mast because of its close proximity to a primary school and play area, said: "It was a ridiculous place to have one, and it wouldn't have done any one any good there."

A spokesman for O2, said: "We have abandoned the Stockbridge Road idea.

"We have managed to fill a gap by tweaking other antennae, and at this moment in time, it looks like it will be a permanent decision."

© Copyright 2001-2006 Newsquest Media Group

http://www.thisishampshire.net/display.var.942777.0.protesters_joy_as_mast_plan_ditched.php

A MOBILE phone giant which was refused planning permission for a mast has lodged an appeal, just as another company is eyeing a spot in the area.
Residents and objectors living near Willingdon Golf Course have been told Vodafone has submitted an appeal to the June refusal of both a pole mast and a tree mast.

The company had hoped one of the two third-generation phone masts would be approved by Eastbourne Borough Council but both were refused.
The appeal refers to the tree mast.

Neighbours, some suffering from cancer and many fearing unproven health risks of living near a mast, had written hundreds of letters of objection to the proposals for the Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty earlier this year.

Some now plan to write to the planning inspectorate in Bristol and a petition is being signed, campaigner Naomi Markwick said.

A council spokesman said of the appeal, "It will be dealt with by written representations and the council has until October 24 to submit a statement to the Planning Inspectorate."

It is understood the Tally Ho pub, Church Street, is considering having a phone mast situated on its roof.

Eastbourne Borough Council said it had not received an application for a phone mast on the Tally Ho but an approach had been made by one of the mobile phone operators without any details.

A spokesman said, "They were advised to submit details but to date no application and no details have been put forward."

30 September 2006

All rights reserved © 2006 Johnston Press Digital Publishing.

http://www.eastbournetoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=488&ArticleID=1797347

Mobile phone equipment could be installed within a Shropshire church under groundbreaking plans. T-Mobile wants to install four antennae in the bell tower of All Saints Church in Broseley.

The plan has won the backing of church chiefs.

Bosses say the scheme makes controversial applications for ugly mobile phone masts redundant by hiding the antennae within beautiful buildings, while at the same time generating funds for cash-strapped churches.

Read the full story in the Shropshire Star

© 2006 - all rights reserved

http://www.shropshirestar.co.uk/2006/09/church-tower-could-be-mast/