Mobile phone giants could soon be banned from erecting telecommunications masts near to homes and schools in the Telford area, amid growing fears.

It follows concerns from residents that the large number of masts in the borough are an eyesore and pose a health risk to children.

The issue was raised at a meeting of Telford & Wrekin Council last night when councillors backed a motion designed to allay public fears.

The motion called for a comprehensive and up-to-date register of all phone mast sites being made available to the public, a forum to liaise with the telecommunication firms and only to grant approval to applications for ‘targeted sites’.

Councillor Arnold England who proposed the motion, said he had the backing of campaigner, Bev Walker, and a representative from Telford Senior Citizens Forum.

Councillor Gary Davies seconded the motion, which won the backing of 24 councillors to 17, and will now be examined further by a scrutiny committee.

Back in August, Telford and Wrekin Council embarked on a review of its policy which is still ongoing.

The full version of this story appears in tonight’s Shropshire Star

http://www.shropshirestar.com/show_article.php?aID=39857