Campaigners angry at plans to site a phone mast near their homes have vowed to step up their fight against the proposal. More than 40 Haverhill residents attended a meeting last Wednesday at the Methodist Church Hall. They agreed to contact their local councillors and write letters of opposition to the borough council. And they may organise a protest in the town centre to demonstrate their feelings.

The residents, who all live near the Hazel Stub roundabout on the outskirts of Haverhill, are worried about the possible health effects a mast might have. They say it could also reduce the price of their houses, or make it more difficult to sell them. Speaking at the meeting, Jo Robbins, of Seymour Drive, suggested they could show their opposition by holding a public demonstration and handing out leaflets.

The mast plan has been submitted for consideration to St Edmundsbury Borough Council by Hutchison 3G and is designed to provide coverage for the new video mobile technology. Paul McKenna, of Strawberry Fields, said there was plenty of research supporting claims that mobile phone masts were bad for health. Rob Sanderson, also of Strawberry Fields, said he was delighted by the turnout at the meeting and said: "This is almost like a test case." Local MP Richard Spring has asked to be kept informed of the group's progress.

29 March 2005