MP Champions Mobile Phone Mast Controls with Lib Dem Bill

3.55.03pm GMT Mon 21st Mar 2005

Annette Brooke, Cllr. Mike Brooke with parents, pupils and teachers at school lobby against phone masts

Local MP Annette Brooke was at the House of Commons on Friday to support the 2nd Reading of a Bill presented by her colleague Andrew Stunell that aims to bring mobile phone masts under strict planning control and bring in the 'precautionary principle', giving extra safeguards for schools, homes, and medical facilities from the risk of excessive radiation.

The positioning of mobile phone masts has caused controversy across the country as masts have been put up close to schools, hospitals and residential areas. Local planning authorities do not currently have any powers to block mast applications for masts below 15m and only have limited powers for those above.

Andrew Stunell MP said:

"My Bill will allow planning authorities to take account of health concerns and will require the industry to produce more evidence about the radiation emitted, and to justify the need for each mast."

"I hope that the bill gains all party support given the unknown and as yet unresearched effects the masts might have on public health."

Annette Brooke MP commented:

"It is simply unbelievable that it is easier to get planning permission for a mast than it is for a porch. This is an alarming situation and needs to be addressed. Unfortunately, without government support and having been effectively 'talked out' by other MPs, this excellent Bill stands little chance in this parliamentary session."

Unfortunately, the Bill was talked out of Parliamentary time due to certain MPs making excessively long speeches during the debates on other matters earlier in the day - notably the Conservative MP Eric Forth. The Bill is unlikely to get a further reading before Parliament is dissolved, and therefore stand any chance of making further progress to change the law in this regard.