LEEDS city councillors, including those representing Morley, have united in their calls for an independent review into national planning rules governing mobile telephone masts. They have passed a resolution asking the Government to give local authorities stronger powers to tackle planning applications for phone masts and base stations. They said mobile phone companies should be subject to the same planning rules and obligations as other people and businesses applying for planning permission.

In a bid to take into consideration the health concerns surrounding such masts, the resolution has also asked that the Government grant emergency planning guidance to local authorities when determining a mast or base station application.

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More and more masts are being put up across the country as companies expand their networks. These have triggered protests in many areas where residents have complained about masts being eyesores or have had worried about the as yet unproven effects on the health of people as a result of long term exposure to constant low levels of radiation.

Residents in East Ardsley were up in arms in October when a 15m high 3G Vodaphone mast was built at Top Fold Farm overlooking the reservoir. The company submitted a retrospective application to allow the mast to stay for six months. The application was rejected in December, enforcement notices were issued and the firm was told to remove the mast by the start of March.

Coun Karen Renshaw (Lab, Ardsley & Robin Hood) who had joined residents in their objections said: "I am delighted that this resolution was given the green light at council last week, as it is important that the Government looks into the issue of planning application legislation once again as soon as possible. "It is vital that we, as a local authority, have the power to combat any potential problems that may arise in the future."

04 March 2005


From Mast Network