Warning over mobile phone plans
by Stuart Pollitt
The Chronicle West Midlands
Jul 5, 2005
Another phone mast could soon be on its way to Lichfield city centre, and it will not be the last, a leading campaigner warned today.
Orange wants to install a 22.5m mast in Davidson Road behind Lichfield City Railway Station.
David Brain, from campaign group Stowe Concerned Residents Against Masts (SCRAM), criticised the application but fears there will be more mast bids because of the determination of phone giants to install new poles for 3G technology.
Mr Brain, who successfully led a fight to stop Vodafone putting up a 25m mast off Eastern Avenue, claimed the majority of people did not even want the 3G technology on their phones.
The Davidson Road proposal would include an antennae and four dishes on a concrete tower on Sellrite Automotive.
Mr Brain said: “There will be continuing pressure in Lichfield and everywhere else. The vast majority of people do not want this massive proliferation of masts. They don’t want 3G.”
Mr Brain said mobile phone giants had forked out billions for 3G licences from the government.
He said: “These companies have so much money they are throwing money at agents to get these applications in and all that stands in their way are a small number of individuals trying to help protect people.”
The SCRAM chairman said phone mast applications were a problem across the country and added the sheer volume of application could eventually wear down protesters’ opposition.
Lichfield has seen a spate of applications in recent months, which have been fought by groups like SCRAM and Boley Park Action Group, which successfully battled a planned mast in Darnford Lane .
The plans for the Davidson Road mast are available for inspection at Lichfield District Council’s offices, in Frog Lane.
A spokesman for Orange was unavailable for comment.
The Chronicle West Midlands
Jul 5, 2005
Another phone mast could soon be on its way to Lichfield city centre, and it will not be the last, a leading campaigner warned today.
Orange wants to install a 22.5m mast in Davidson Road behind Lichfield City Railway Station.
David Brain, from campaign group Stowe Concerned Residents Against Masts (SCRAM), criticised the application but fears there will be more mast bids because of the determination of phone giants to install new poles for 3G technology.
Mr Brain, who successfully led a fight to stop Vodafone putting up a 25m mast off Eastern Avenue, claimed the majority of people did not even want the 3G technology on their phones.
The Davidson Road proposal would include an antennae and four dishes on a concrete tower on Sellrite Automotive.
Mr Brain said: “There will be continuing pressure in Lichfield and everywhere else. The vast majority of people do not want this massive proliferation of masts. They don’t want 3G.”
Mr Brain said mobile phone giants had forked out billions for 3G licences from the government.
He said: “These companies have so much money they are throwing money at agents to get these applications in and all that stands in their way are a small number of individuals trying to help protect people.”
The SCRAM chairman said phone mast applications were a problem across the country and added the sheer volume of application could eventually wear down protesters’ opposition.
Lichfield has seen a spate of applications in recent months, which have been fought by groups like SCRAM and Boley Park Action Group, which successfully battled a planned mast in Darnford Lane .
The plans for the Davidson Road mast are available for inspection at Lichfield District Council’s offices, in Frog Lane.
A spokesman for Orange was unavailable for comment.
Starmail - 7. Jul, 11:02
