Village mast fight is lost
WESSINGTON campaigners have lost their fight against a mobile phone mast which they believe is a health risk to their children.
Telecommunications company Orange sparked protests last year in the village when they gained permission for a phone mast near Wessington Primary School.
But after public outcry the company made a second application 250 metres away from the previous location at Nether Green Farm, Moorwood Moor Lane.
Now despite a petition signed by 150 residents against the new application, North East Derbyshire District Council planning committee has approved the application.
A spokeswoman for North East Derbyshire District Council said: "The second application was approved subject to the fact that they don't build the mobile phone mast where they had planned to build previously."
But Scott Brown, of the Three Horsheshoes pub in Wessington, said: "I fear for the future. We don't really know the health risks and more and more reports are beginning to say there is a risk.
"Of about 300 people who live in the village, 150 people signed the petition we feel like we just haven't been listened to.
"At the first meeting a year ago, which we held at the pub, about 15 people who turned up were on the network Orange and they had five bars of signal, so I don't know why we even need a mast here."
A spokesperson from Orange said: "We met with the residents last year and their main concerns were the location as regards to the school.
"We agreed to look at moving the site as we do understand people have a perception that it is a risk to health. We moved it 250 metres away from the previous location and reduced its size by two metres.
"Unfortunately they are still unhappy, but there is a requirement there for the phone mast and we have moved as far away as possible."
Work is to start later in the year.
11 January 2006
http://www.matlocktoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=749&ArticleID=1310072
Telecommunications company Orange sparked protests last year in the village when they gained permission for a phone mast near Wessington Primary School.
But after public outcry the company made a second application 250 metres away from the previous location at Nether Green Farm, Moorwood Moor Lane.
Now despite a petition signed by 150 residents against the new application, North East Derbyshire District Council planning committee has approved the application.
A spokeswoman for North East Derbyshire District Council said: "The second application was approved subject to the fact that they don't build the mobile phone mast where they had planned to build previously."
But Scott Brown, of the Three Horsheshoes pub in Wessington, said: "I fear for the future. We don't really know the health risks and more and more reports are beginning to say there is a risk.
"Of about 300 people who live in the village, 150 people signed the petition we feel like we just haven't been listened to.
"At the first meeting a year ago, which we held at the pub, about 15 people who turned up were on the network Orange and they had five bars of signal, so I don't know why we even need a mast here."
A spokesperson from Orange said: "We met with the residents last year and their main concerns were the location as regards to the school.
"We agreed to look at moving the site as we do understand people have a perception that it is a risk to health. We moved it 250 metres away from the previous location and reduced its size by two metres.
"Unfortunately they are still unhappy, but there is a requirement there for the phone mast and we have moved as far away as possible."
Work is to start later in the year.
11 January 2006
http://www.matlocktoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=749&ArticleID=1310072
Starmail - 11. Jan, 22:26
