ANGRY residents are meeting tonight to consider their next move after permission was given for a phone mast in High Crompton.

They mounted a strong campaign against the proposed mast at Greenhill Farm but the scheme has got the go-ahead from Oldham Council.

For applicants 02, it is third time lucky after previous attempts to site the mast near the Waggon and Horses pub, Rochdale Road, and at the junction of Long Rushes and Trent Road came to nothing. However, there is widespread disappointment and anger among local people.

They submitted a 695-signature petition and individual letters arguing that the site was too close to their homes and High Crompton Park.

Other objections were that the 15 metre high monopole would blight the area and that there was already another mast near by.

Crompton councillor Ann Wingate, who was also opposed to it, said: “I recognise the real concerns of the residents about harmful emissions from this 50ft-high mast.”

One protester, Sandra Bolton, of Greenhill Avenue, said residents felt aggrieved the decision to grant permission was made by officers rather than by the planning committee.

She said: “People are not very happy at all. To have it decided by the swish of a pen considering the number of names on the petition and all the letters, is very disappointing.”

Mrs Bolton added that a group of residents was intending to meet tonight to discuss the next step but she admitted: “What we can do I don’t know.”

A council spokeswoman said the application had been granted prior approval by planning officers in accordance with set guidelines.


From Mast Network

DESPERATE parents in Heaton Mersey are offering to hand over £5,000 to a church - but only if it throws out controversial plans to house a mobile phone mast.

St John the Baptist, on St John’s Road, stands to make £5,000 from communications giant T-Mobile if plans to site a mast in the church tower go ahead.

However, local residents, who say they fear for the safety of their children and those at neighbouring schools, mounted a campaign last year to halt the plan and are now so desperate they have offered to club together to avoid the controversial plan going ahead.

Lynda and Greg Lacey have even pledged £1,200 a year if the mast is refused and the church has no other way of raising funds - because they are worried about the health of their children who attend St John’s Primary School.

Lynda said: “There are a few people who have said they would be happy to set up a direct debit if the mast was refused.

“The church should look at the wellbeing of people in the community.”

However, Rev Marcus Maxwell, vicar of St John’s, said he would not accept money until a decision has been made.

He said: “While we are still convinced that there is no health hazard, there are some people who are worried and frightened. We are not in the business of worrying and upsetting people.

“If our neighbours want to support us financially because they value the parish church that is great but we don’t want to be seen to be being bought out.”

http://www.stockportexpress.co.uk/news/index/articles/article_id=17563.html


From Mast Network

People power does it again!

Sandi

PHONE MAST APPLICATION GETS POOR RECEPTION

AN APPLICATION for an extended mobile phone mast to be built in Groveland Road has been withdrawn.

The proposal to lengthen the mast at St John Ambulance Station by three metres to enable new 3G technology to be installed has been met with widespread opposition from local residents.

The extension to the Vodafone mast would have meant that it overlooked Grovelands Primary School, prompting concern from residents who were worried about radiation.

Grandmother Sybil Lacey, 82, of Derwent Close, told the Gazette that she was relieved at the decision. She said, 'I am just so extremely grateful that the application has been withdrawn. 'We only found out at the last minute at the planning committee meeting on Thursday so we are all still really pleased with this outcome.'

No reason was given as to why Vodafone withdrew the application, but many of the residents who were against the plan feel that their protests had something to do with the decision.

Mrs Lacey said, 'I think it says something about people power that we managed to make such a difference. 'We all fought so much for what we believed in and have achieved what we set out to do.' Cllr Ian Haffenden, who was dealing with the planning application' said, 'One of the positive things to come from this situation is that it has really brought the community together. 'I have never seen such intense concern from a community over a planning proposal. I have received more emails, letters and complaints than I have ever experienced. I think that speaks volumes.'

Before the withdrawal of the plan, a Vodafone spokeswoman reassured residents that the mast was safe. She said, 'We are aware that people do have concerns but all our masts comply with the very strict guidelines designed to protect all members of the public no matter where they live.'

16 March 2005


From Mast Network

Attached are (1) a motion just passed by Brighton & Hove Council re phone masts (basically calling on UK Gov to implement the demands of the Freiburger Appeal re Planning and (2) the speech given by the Councillor (Green - Bill Randall) who drew it up.

Omega see "FREIBURGER APPEAL" under:
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/566350/

No mention of this has appeared at all in the local media whilst local radio is hyping 3G virtually 24/7. Any Ietters sent to local paper The Argus on this are more than welcome. letters@theargus.co.uk

Best
Gary (Brighton)


Green Party Notice of Motion to Council: 10 March 2005

Mobile-phone masts

Bearing in mind the widespread and deep concern among the citizens of Brighton and Hove and the nation at large about the potential health risks of 3G mobile phone masts and TETRA masts. And noting the general disregard by telecommunications companies for the health of the public, amenity considerations and community wishes, this council urges the UK Government to:

· Halt the installation of further masts, until the Mobile Telecommunications and Health Research Programme two-year research study into their impact at the University of Essex is completed in November 2006.

· Decommission existing masts in sensitive locations, if the research demonstrates they are harmful, and introduce an exclusion zone that ensures no new masts are installed within 500 metres of schools, hospitals and domestic areas.

· Implement the Stewart Report recommendation that the siting of all new base stations should be subject to the normal planning process.

· Ensure the health and amenity concerns of local communities are taken fully into account in each stage of the decision making process.

· Implement the Stewart report recommendation that an Ombudsman be appointed to provide a focus for decisions on the siting of base stations when agreement cannot be reached locally, and on other relevant issues.

Proposed by: Councillor Bill Randall
Seconded by: Councillor Richard Mallender



Two petitions, a deputation and a demonstration

The people of Hanover and Elm Grove and Queens Park have certainly made their views clear about the 3G masts proposed for their neighbourhood and the rest of Brighton and Hove.

I am now asking this council to support them. Local democracy lies at the root of this issue. Is it right for an outside organization to impose its will on a city and communities in that city, when there is so patently an overwhelming opposition to their proposals? The citizens of Brighton and Hove don’t think so.

I have received more protests about the mast at the junction of Queens Park Road and Pankhurst Avenue than any other issue I have dealt with in the two years that I have been a councillor. There is a general and genuine disbelief in the community that Marconi are able to do what they like.

The more than 100 resident and families who have sent me e-mails, telephoned me, stopped me in the street or buttonholed me in shops are:

Outraged that they should have no say in whether or not a mast with possible health risks should be planted in the middle of their community next to houses and a short distance from two primary schools, several playgroups and Brighton General Hospital.

Outraged that the city planners appear to have no powers to prevent the mast going up.

Outraged that Marconi is clearly disinterested in their complaints. Indeed, the main thrust of Marconi’s standard response to those who have written is to blame the council.

Ideally, argues the man from Marconi “we would like a meeting with the planners and councillors so that more optimal use can be made of the council’s land and buildings, thus taking some of the development away from residential areas. Currently, we are not able to utilize the council owned land and buildings. Obviously, this has a significant impact upon the options available to us.’

So it’s all our fault.

Marconi belongs to the Mobile Operators Association. They don’t think much of local democracy and opposed a proposal by a House of Commons Committee that would require mobile operators to obtain planning permission for all new mobile masts, and would give parents a veto over siting.

The Daily Mail quoted MOA Executive Director Mike Dolan as saying ‘This would hold up the next generation of mobile networks to the detriment of businesses and communities.’

The community in Hanover and Queens Park couldn’t agree less. The motion speaks for itself. You will see we want a moratorium on the installation of new masts until current research is finished and installations removed if dangers are proved. We also want all masts brought within the planning system.

We realize we are up against the big battalions. The five major mobile operators paid the Labour Government £22.5 billion for the 3G licences. Gordon Brown has gratefully trousered the money and he and his colleagues have chosen not accept most of the recommendations of the Stewart Report. We urge this council to add their voice to those trying to change Ministers’ minds.

I should say I have prejudicial interest in this issue. I live only 200 yards from the mast site. More importantly, two of my grandchildren live only 100 yards from the site and two more of my grandchildren attend Elm Grove School, which is less than 400m from the site. Most of the letters and e-mails sent to me have been from concerned parents who also have a prejudicial interest. I am deeply concerned that the mast could affect the children’s health. I don’t know for sure if it will, but then neither do Marconi who have not responded to my request for reassurances about health risks. Nor do Underwriters Lloyds of London who refuse to insure mobile phone manufacturers against damage to health.

I believe Marconi and the other providers should prove beyond question that 3G and Tetra masts are safe before any further installations are put up.

I urge the council to support this view and move the motion.


From Mast Network

The Castle Tower of Crest, Dróme, France

Infos ASL L' heure des comptes La Bérézina acte 1

http://www.buergerwelle.de/pdf/l_heure_des_comptes_dauphine_libere_16_03_05.jpg
http://www.buergerwelle.de/pdf/l_heure_des_comptes_asl_photo_of_the_year.JPG
http://www.buergerwelle.de/pdf/l_heure_des_comptes_asl_crest_france_chart.jpg
http://www.buergerwelle.de/pdf/l_heure_des_comptes_asl_crest_europe_chart.JPG
http://www.buergerwelle.de/pdf/le_crestois_18_03_05.JPG
Correction: The official response of the Board of ASL France to Orange France SA is currently being formulated and will be available within a few days from now.

I have saved the photo if anyone wants it and I have a lamp post mast photo, too.
http://www.buergerwelle.de/pdf/a23tree3.jpg

Sandi

Wood you believe it?


MEET the latest scheme by mobile phone giants to boost coverage – undercover masts. In a bid to deter complaints about ugly masts blotting the landscape, operators have come up with a cunning plan to disguise them as trees. The only snag, though, is that the 'tree-mast' still has to tower over its wooden rivals to ensure a signal.

The move has come to light as part of an application for an 82ft mast on the slopes of Portsdown Hill, which O2 wants to disguise as a Scots pine.

Spokeswoman Angela Johnson said: 'We need a mast in the area for changes in capacity as part of our 3G network. 'But we would try to reduce the environmental impact by disguising it as a tree to make it look as reasonable as possible.'

The firm's plan, though, has done little to alleviate residents' health fears. Grace Edney, whose home at The Thicket, Portchester, would overlook the mast, said: 'Disguising it is just as dreadful and only hoodwinking people. You can hide it, but you can't get away from it.' O2 has applied to Fareham Borough Council for permission to build the mast on land at the Fitness First health club, in Down End Road, Fareham, where two masts, belonging to competitors Orange and Hutchison 3G, already stand.

15 March 2005

From Mast Network

Would you please advise your readers that the first issue of the new publiction "EMR and Health" is now available from EMR Australia. It contains:
- summaries of the latest scientific studies on EMR and health, fully references
- summaries of the REFLEX research report and the NRPB report on mobile phones
- background on the nature of EMR
- an interview with Dr Henry Lai
- news from around the globe.

Interested folk can see our site at http://www.emraustralia.com.au

Thank you and best wishes

Lyn McLean

Register [UK]

03/14/05

A Thai man who had his right leg and five toes on this left foot amputated after his mobile phone exploded is suing Nokia for Bt1m (£13,650) in damages. Prasit Sriseeluang, 50 -- who had his handset tucked in his shirt pocket at the time of the accident -- was working near a high-voltage power pole when his phone rang. The handset then exploded, causing serious injuries to the welder."

http://www.theregister.co.uk/2005/03/14/nokia_thailand_handset/


Informant: Thomas L. Knapp

Interesting to note the report by Roger Highfield (Science Editor) on page 3 of this morning's Daily Telegraph:

"Two thirds of people now believe the risks of emissions from mobile phones outweigh the benefits, according to a Government survey.

This represnts a reversal of the pattern of two years ago when more than twice the proportion believed the benefits exceeded the risks, according to a Mori research report, 'Science in Society', commissioned by the Department of Trade and Industry.

Sir William Stewart, head of the National Radiological Protection Board, Britain's radiation watchdog, recently warned that the dangers - particularly to children - were still unknown. And a Swedish study has linked long-term use with double the risk of a rare tumour on a nerve that connects the ear to the brain.

The survey, of around 2000 people, is published today to coincide with National Science Week."

David B

From Mast Network