Brooke Supports Mobile Phone Mast Controls

12.00.00am GMT Fri 20th Apr 2007

More consideration must be given to residents' views and health concerns - Brooke

Local MP Annette Brooke is supporting a new Bill giving extra safeguards for schools, homes, and medical facilities from the risk of excessive radiation.

Annette Brooke is co-sponsoring the Bill which is being championed by Andrew Stunell MP, the Liberal Democrat Shadow Local Government Secretary, and challenges the Government to give local communities more control over where telephone masts are sited.

Annette Brooke said:

"The positioning of phone masts has upset many people in my constituency as masts have been put up close to schools and residential areas.

"There have been some particularly contentious applications in Poole and Bournemouth recently, including one in Broadstone. This site in the Clump is a wooded area, rich in wildlife which also neighbours residential properties, and Vodafone is currently appealing against the Council's decision to refuse planning permission. More consideration must be given to residents' views and health concerns.

"The Conservatives did a deal with the phone companies when they were in Government to cut planning controls for masts.  Under the current ridiculous rules it is easier to get planning permission for a 15 metre mast than it is for a 5 metre conservatory.

"This 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."

ENDS

Notes to editors:

1) The Telecommunications Mast (Planning Control) Bill was presented to Parliament by Andrew Stunell MP on 28th March 2007.  The Bill is listed for Second Reading on June 29th 2007, although a shortage of parliamentary time means it may not be reached for debate.