RAYMOND SHEWAN

09:00 - 28 September 2005

A Scottish Executive planning official cleared a tricky hurdle yesterday as he visited the proposed site for a controversial mobile phone mast.

Malcolm Smith arrived at the Cullen telephone exchange to find the boundary gate firmly locked.

He had arranged access to the site with BT, but when no one turned up Mr Smith - watched by a crowd of over 100 local people opposed to the phone mast plan - took it upon himself to scale the 5ft perimeter fence. He spent several minutes inspecting the site before once again demonstrating his agility by climbing out the same way he had got in.

After dusting himself off, Mr Smith, appointed by Scottish ministers to make a decision on Vodafone's application to erect the 50ft mast, spent some time chatting with some of the placard-waving protesters.

But he made it clear to them that he could not become involved in a debate on the merits or otherwise of the application, and that the purpose of his visit was primarily to see the proposed site for himself and to familiarise himself with the surroundings.

The mast proposal has generated massive opposition in Cullen, where objectors claim the potential health risk and visual impact far outweigh any advantages for mobile phone coverage. The planning application was rejected by Moray councillors earlier this year following 24 objections and a petition with more than 250 names. But Vodafone appealed against the refusal and Mr Smith was appointed to determine the appeal.

He said yesterday he hoped to be in a position to issue a decision in late October or early November. He added: "Obviously there is a strength of local feeling and that has been clear from the representations that have been received and from the turnout today."

Anti-mast campaigner, Bernard Watts, said the turnout underlined how strongly Cullen residents felt about the proposal. "We don't want the thing here, it's as simple as that," he said.

"This appeal by Vodafone goes against local democracy. Seventeen of our councillors said no when the application came up earlier this year and that should have been that.

"We have nothing against mobile phones or technology. What we are against is sticking a mast right in the middle of where people live."

Mother-to-be Vivienne Addison, who lives less than 100 yards from the telephone exchange, said objectors had been told that health fears over microwave emissions from the mast were not a material planning consideration. "I don't think that's right - it should be a major consideration," said Mrs Addison, who is due to give birth to her first child within the next few days. "While there is uncertainty about the health risks that mobile phone masts pose, they should not be allowed in residential areas."

27/9/2005

Fleet News and Mail

HART District Council is on collision course with a mobile phone company it believes installed phone mast equipment illegally.

The council is to take enforcement action against Airwave MMO2 after it attached mobile phone masts to a water tower in Bracknell Lane, Hartley Wintney.

The council may even take the company to the High Court if it refuses to remove the masts.

The row started in late 2003 when the phone company installed three ‘whip’ antennae on the water tower.

The company claims that it had planning permission to do this but the council disagrees, stating that it did not approve the application.

Airwave MMO2 appealed but this was dismissed by a planning inspector — although a previous inspector ruled in its favour.

It has since made two further applications to retain the equipment for a further six months and a second to fix alternative equipment lower down the water tower.

These applications were rejected by councillors last week.

Last week members of the council’s planning enforcement committee agreed to take the company to the High Court in a bid to have the original antennae, which were installed in 2003, removed.

“The council understands the distress that the unauthorised equipment is causing to local residents and is seeking its removal as quickly as possible,” said Cllr Viv Street, chairman of the committee.

“We will stand up to those who seek to breach the law designed to protect our local community.”

Residents have been fighting the phone masts in Hartley Wintney since 1999.

In particularly, they have been opposed to the masts attached to the water tower.

People in Trefoil Close and surrounding roads fear the masts could be endangering their health as well as spoiling their view.

Campaigner Marre Dafforn welcomed the decision by the council to take enforcement action against Airwave MMO2 but believes that the company has more tricks up its sleeve.

She said: “I am delighted that the council is taking enforcement action.

“I think that most people are frustrated with how long this has taken.

“Airwave is using every planning loophole possible to put in more applications and I expect that court proceedings may be delayed by this if they put in more appeals.”

But Mrs Dafforn added that residents will have to wait a long time until they achieve their aim of getting the masts removed completely.

She added: “Airwave has spent a lot of money.

“It is not going to leave quietly.”

Airwave MMO2 is providing equipment for Hampshire Constabulary which wants to use the Hartley Wintney water tower as a site for the national police force’s new £3billion mobile radio system aimed at dramatically improving police communications.

John Scott, head of planning at Manchester-based chartered surveyors Pentland Ltd, which is an agent for Airwave MMO2, said the company believed it was in the public interest to be able to provide the coverage required by Hampshire police.

He added that it was an error by the council’s planning official’s that had led to the lengthy row with Airwave MMO2.

When Airwave MMO2 received the planning application back from the council it stated that planning permission had been granted even though reasons had been given to refuse it.

It seems that there had been an apparent misprint.

Airwave MMO2 appealed against this and a planning inspector ruled in its favour.

Mr Scott said the company proceeded with installing the equipment on the tower, but then after the council appealed another planning inspector overturned the original decision.

He declined to comment on whether Airwave MMO2 was confident it would win its case if went to the High Court.

Sep 28 2005

Surrey Online

By Patsy Payne

AN HISTORIC tree-lined avenue used by King Edward VII when he was Prince of Wales is under threat from developers anxious to build a radio base station there.

Third generation phone company Hutchison has infuriated residents with its application to Reigate and Banstead Borough Council.

Householders rallied in force in Ringley Park Avenue, Reigate, recently, to protest at plans for a 12-metre pole with three antennae, an antenna dish and radio equipment housing on the footway immediately south of 2 The Chase.

The Kentish-style house's owners, musicians Lynn and Jonathon Myall, along with their three teenage children, are devastated at the proposal.

They were heartened at the support from their neighbours, who are equally incensed at what they see as a violation of Reigate's historic past.

Almost 200 turned out, complete with banners and "protective" foil indicating their fear at perceived electromagnetic field health risks associated with 3G masts.

Although these are not yet recognised in England, a report by the Government's Health Protection Agency, due out next month, is expected to state that increasing numbers of British people are suffering from electrosensitivity - a heightened reaction to electrical energy such as that emitted from mobile phones, electricity pylons and computer screens. Symptoms include nausea, headaches and muscle pain, memory loss and dizziness.

Mrs Myall said: "Although we can only officially object on siting and location, we intend to raise the health risk element, now Britain is to join Sweden in recognising electrosensitivity. We planned to see our days out here, but if this goes up we would have to move. I couldn't risk it for my children and my grandchildren."

The site is also on the main approach to Dunottar School.

Jean Hobson, the headmistress, said: "My main concern is for the health of the pupils. We have insufficient evidence about the long-term effect of radiation from these masts."

But the aesthetics of the proposal and its intrusion on the avenue of chestnut trees in a popular walk, is causing grave concern to groups such as The Reigate Society.

Its new president, Reigate and Banstead MP Crispin Blunt, agrees that the visual impairment would be unwelcome and believes it to be detrimental to the area's character.

He said he was writing to the council to ask that they are satisfied that there is absolutely no technical alternative. "I cannot believe that there is not," his letter says.

Ward councillor for the area Steve Kulka accused Hutchison of misleading residents. He said: "They wrote to residents and said they had liaised with a senior planning officer at the council who felt the proposed site to be the best, giving the impression they had had a long consultation. This is not the case."

Mike Davies, of Hutchison 3G UK, said the firm would have entered into pre-application discussions with council planners. He added: "As a wireless operator we have to comply absolutely with very high scientific standards set by the World Health Organisation. We have been told the result of this results in no adverse health effects to any members of the public living near to one of our sites."

Omega see "The unbridled alliance of science and industry" under:
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/297097/ and "Dirty dealings by Hutchison" under: http://omega.twoday.net/stories/988162/

By Jolene Hill
This is Local London

RESIDENTS could demand compensation when a report into health problems linked to mobile phone masts is published.

Government body the Health Protection Agency (HPA) is to release research revealing a full list of symptoms, which includes headaches, extreme tiredness, dizziness, memory loss and depression, associated with electromagnetic fields found around masts.

The news comes as no surprise to members of pressure group Orpington Residents Against Masts.

Many of them live near the BT telephone exchange building in Chislehurst Road, Orpington.

Since masts on the building became operational in March, residents say they have experienced health problems associated with electrosensitivity.

Susan Green's son suffered insomnia and headaches. Radiation detectors revealed high levels above his bed.

When £500 metal panels which shield his room were placed in the attic and the bed was moved, the 10-year-old felt better immediately.

Mrs Green said: "We know from our health surveys and contacts with residents' groups across the borough and the country many families living near masts suffer debilitating symptoms.

"It's scandalous councils and the Government continue to allow the siting of these masts in residential areas and on schools."

"These are only the short-term effects, what about the long-term effects?"

She says this could open the floodgates for people applying for compensation, as was the case when smoking was found to have bad health effects.

Mrs Green also claims the Government will have to reconsider the placement of many masts.

Orpington councillor Chris Maines said: "It's interesting the Government is now supporting residents' fears but it's quite possibly too little, too late.

"There is the concern scientists have been aware of this for some time and the public has not been privy to that information."

Community liaison manager for O2 James Stevenson said: "O2 has great sympathy for anybody suffering from electrosensitivity and we have contributed a large sum of money so the tests and scientific research into our industry can be continued."

The HPA report is expected to be published next month.

http://tinyurl.com/6x76ej

Epilepsy girl will learn at home after radio mast victory

With brief comment at
http://www.tetrawatch.net/main/news.php

Not exactly a victory. What stupidity recognises that Nicola is shut out of her school for medical reasons linked to TETRA, whilst denying that there is any connection?

Epilepsy girl, 12, will learn at home after radio mast victory
http://icwales.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/1100education/tm_objectid=16177836&method=full&siteid=50082&headline=epilepsy-girl--12--will-learn-at-home-after-radio-mast-victory-name_page.html

... this case there was a need to establish a direct link between the Tetra mast and ... "Currently, there is no definitive scientific proof that airwave base stations ...

Andy


Epilepsy girl, 12, will learn at home after radio mast victory. The police spokewoman said: ‘Currently, there is no definitive scientific proof that airwave base stations affect people who are susceptible to epilepsy.’

But please take time to read this paper on masts and epilepsy:

Electromagnetic Radiation and Epilepsy
http://www.tetrawatch.net/papers/emr_epilepsy.pdf

How many people will suffer needlessly like Nicola before ‘proof’ has meaning: Proof? Or scientific proof? Or definitive scientific proof? How on earth are we going about caring for each other?

http://www.tetrawatch.net/main/news.php

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Eileen and all,

Please see this info with regard to epilepsy (by Dr. Santini).

Electromagnetic field and Epilepsy
http://csifcem.free.fr/epilepsy.html

28 September 2005

Iris Atzmon.

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Epilepsy girl given home tuition away from mast blamed for fits

Lizzie Murphy

28 September 2005

A LOCAL authority is allowing a girl aged 12 to stay away from school over fears a police radio mast may be triggering her epileptic fits.

The family of Nicola Packard in South Wales was prepared to take Pembrokeshire County Council to the High Court to get her home tuition after a Tetra mast used by police was erected by mobile phone operator O2 near her school.

Nicola has epilepsy and normally experiences one or two seizures a month but on the day the mast was turned on in May she had seven fits. Her mother, Jayne Packard, said the fits continued with alarming frequency whenever her daughter would attend the Portfield Special school, which is a little over half a mile from the mast on Haverfordwest police station.

The council has agreed to provide home tuition for Nicola, of Hakin, Milford Haven.

The family now want to take legal action against Dyfed-Powys Police to force them to remove the mast so that Nicola can return to school.

Mrs Packard, 34, said: "Nicola just didn't have any quality of life after the mast was turned on. The effects of the seizures would last for days. Now she is much better at home and I cannot fault the education department of the council for agreeing with us."
But a spokeswoman for Pembrokeshire County Council said: "This is a pragmatic response to ensure that the individual child is provided with suitable education and should not be construed as a judgment on issues surrounding the location of Tetra masts."

Mother-of-three Dr Christine Nunn, of Bardsey, near Leeds, has been battling for two years to rid her village of a mobile phone mast after a blunder by Leeds City Council meant residents' objections could not be heard and planning permission for the mast was granted automatically.

The part-time GP said: "I think it is dreadful for this young girl and her family to be in this position.

"The technology is rolled out before the safety is proven, leaving this family and others around the country in the position of not knowing what effect these masts can have.

"The Government is putting the interests of the industry before that of potentially vulnerable individuals such as children."

http://www.yorkshiretoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=55&ArticleID=1203112

This was also repeated in a different format by the Daily Mail as follows:

Fears over radio mast keep schoolgirl at home

Daily mail 28.09.05

A 12 -year old epileptic girl has been forced to have home tuition after fears a police radio mast near her school was triggering fits.

Nichola Packard, who normally has one or two seizures a month, had seven on the day the TETRA mast was switched on in May.

Her local authority has allowed her to stay home from school, but it stressed the decision was not 'a judgment on issues surrounding the location of TETRA masts'.

TETRA offers improved sound quality and security for radios. But Nichola's mother Jayne said when ever he daughter went to Portfield Special School, Pembrokeshire, she had fits with alarming frequency.

The mast erected by mobile phone operator 02, is on Haverfordwest police station less than a few miles away. Her family wants Dyfed-Powys police to remove it so Nicola can return to school.

Mrs Packard, 34, of Hakin, Milford Haven, said 'Nicola just didn't have any quality of life after the mast was turned on. The effects of the seizures would last for days. Now she is much better at home and I cannot fault the education department of the council for agreeing with us.'

She added 'We have got what we wanted from the local authority. Now I want the mast out of the way so Nicola can go back to school. Until authorities know they are 100% sure about TETRA masts, they shouldn't be anywhere near schools. All I am saying is I have a child who, when she is in the vicinity of a mast, her epilepsy is worse.

Mike Charles, the families' solicitor, said: 'I cannot say for definite there is an adverse health reaction to TETRA masts. When you are dealing with children and with the jury on the body of scientific evidence being out on the issue, it is not wise to take risks.'

He added:' The child is desperate to go back to school.'

A Pembrokeshire County Council spokesman said:' In accordance with normal practice for children - and following comprehensive discussions with her mother - we have sought to offer a range of provision, which in this instance includes an element of home tuition.'

'This is a pragmatic response to ensure that the individual child is provided with suitable education.'

A spokesman for Dyfed-Powys Police said: 'Currently, there is no definitive scientific proof that airwave base stations affect people who are susceptible to epilepsy.'

02 was unavailable for comment.

The digital sets were introduced earlier this year under a 2.9 billion programme.

But 173 officers in Lancashire and nother 20 in North Yorkshire - forces chosen to test them - were said to have fallen ill after they were introduced.

Some scientists are concerned they pulse at 17.6Hz, close to the 16Hz at which brain signals work.

--------

From Eileen O'Connor
Sent: Thursday, September 29, 2005 4:45 PM
Subject: Check out Implementation Programme

Take a look at the enclosed information from Catherine and pay close attention to number three concerns about epilepsy and tetra, how can they be allowed to continue with this system?

Implementation Programme
http://www.policereform.gov.uk/implementation/tetra/tetra4.html

As you can see they know there is a connection with epilepsy.

--------

Epilepsy and RF/MW exposure
http://www.emfacts.com/weblog/index.php?p=253

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Mast concern over epileptic pupil
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_west/4285938.stm

Firstly, let us address O2's comments: We've said it before, but the only international guidelines that exist to cover emissions from TETRA masts in this country are ICNIRP guidelines, which are designed purely to prevent "microwave oven" effects (i.e. actual physical heating effects). These will naturally be orders of magnitude higher than TETRA masts, otherwise local people would be slowly cooked on a daily basis. All the evidence with other microwave radiation of a similar frequency and pulsed modularity (e.g. GSM phones and phone masts) are at far lower levels of power, and the effects are very different in nature. ICNIRP guidelines are simply not designed to assess the possibility of other effects, and so being within guidelines is effectively meaningless.

Secondly, to address the comments by the Police, it would be very hard to conduct a study of specifically epileptic people in the vicinity of TETRA masts because of the difficulties in getting a sample size big enough to be meaningful, and as such no one has put the money in to fund such research yet - this does not mean there is no effect.

Finally, surely in cases like this some level of common sense should prevail: The girl is well enough to go to school, the TETRA mast gets turned on and suddenly the girl is too ill to attend any more. The timing, combined with the research in health effects from other similar technologies, is surely enough to warrant further investigation, and not just hide behind a guideline never designed to protect people from these effects?

(See links on our masts information page showing research of health effects below ICNIRP guidelines, albeit on GSM technology, including this one directly relating to epilepsy)

--------

How can Anyone ACCEPT, that a little girl gets her life and health ruined.

Cut off from her school and her friends by an alien radiating thing like a mast by her school?

ACCEPT that she will be totally isolated because of the pollution these things emit.

WHY do we accept for anyone to be treated like this, by the same persons who have undertaken to be responsible for our wellbeing as citizens?

But who have sold us short!

And for what?

Greed!!

And they still want our VOTES?


Agnes.
http://www.mast-victims.org

--------

After today's programme on BBC Radio 4 featuring the case of Nicola Packard, whose epilepsy appears to be triggered by a local TETRA mast after a similar experience with a mobile phone mast, I felt compelled to take issue with Mike Clark (HPA) for his comments. This is an open letter and has been sent direct to him. It features on Tetrawatch at http://www.tetrawatch.net/letters/clark_hpa1.php

Any points in the letter you need explanation for, please ask, or look it up on Tetrawatch.

The You and Yours programme remains on the BBC website (Radio, Listen again) for one week.

Andy


Dear Mike

This is intended to be an open letter, just as the programme on BBC Radio 4 "You and Yours" was public.

I was saddened to hear your comments on the case of Nicola Packard, her epilepsy and masts, not because they were predictable, nor because you have stopped thinking about the issues, preferring "campaigners" to see the problem as political.

This is not a political issue at all. If it was, MTHR would never have existed. But above all, with a government determined that we should have 11 national mobile infrastructures (4 x GSM, 5 x UMTS, Airwave and NetRail), and that these must be established with some 90% coverage each, the political consequence is that masts MUST be embedded in residential areas irrespective of any consequence at all, for purely commercial reasons. Missing masts means broken networks. This is a function of the short range of 3G transmitters. There is therefore no political solution, and mast campaigners are beginning to realise this.

What do you mean by saying " impartial groups all come to the same conclusion: there is no convincing evidence, ie no scientific or medical issue". No issue? Is it not the role of the HPA to investigate? If all these common problems attributed to masts and phones has nothing to do with EMFs, calling it idiopathic ("without known cause") environmental intolerance is an evasion of the HPA's role to secure public health.

The issue IS one of public health. This is what people want to know about; not "designer masts" in trees or chimney pots, that we do not know are there. The issue is profoundly one of science: not science at a distance, but science in the community.

You said on the programme that "there is a l arge research programme funded by the Home Office going on into TETRA". This really is not true. The amount of work on TETRA is pitifully small. In fact I was somewhat surprised that you majored on TETRA, knowing that Nicola's condition was first manifest with an Orange mobile phone mast.

I continue to be surprised that you see no difference in biological interaction between radiowaves in general and modulated microwaves. You know as well as I do that modulated microwaves are used for medical purposes, that pulsed radiation has greater effect, and that some of the healing properties at least have to do with electrical, not thermal, interaction.

You also know as well as I that EM radiation has military purposes, that it has been used in theatre, and not only for its thermal effects. Maybe you don't read Jane's Defence Weekly, but applications exist and are used, based on frequency, not power to heat.

And what, for pity's sake is the content of: "radiowaves have been produced since the 1890s"? Are you seriously suggesting that our EMF environment has remained unchanged since Marconi sent a message across the Atlantic?? Was the case against Vatican radio a spurious knee-jerk reaction without foundation? I hear you dismiss case after case like this, with no offer of cooperative investigation to improve the data or the analysis.

I was equally surprised that you said: "There isn't evidence to do with epilepsy that I'm aware of." My written summation of peer reviewed studies demonstrating how and why EMR precisely could cause interaction connected with epilepsy is abroad in the HPA, and I would be surprised if you had not taken any time at all to acquaint yourself with a direction of such profound importance. Published on the Tetrawatch site, this paper is open to scrutiny and comment, and all the scientists to whom I have sent it recognise that there is a real issue here. Of course I know, as you do, that because I, with qualifications outside your field, put the papers together, it has no credence with HPA at all. But the content stands by itself. I am as intelligent a researcher at this level as someone with equivalent degrees in relevant sciences. If you stop listening to anyone but yourselves, if you exclude Russian studies because they are Russian, or German studies because they are German, or my literature survey because I have arts degrees ... you will only ever hear yourself talking.

One of the most interesting directions of research right now has to be the effect of chronic exposure of mitochondrial DNA to low level microwaves, and the potential effects on key enzyme activity. We both know this, because published peer-reviewed studies have indicated that this might indeed be the case. Taking just one: the nitric oxide synthases, leads inevitably to very serious misgivings indeed.

Do you seriously not recognise the significance of disturbing the balance of nitric oxide in the body? Actually, you do know. I have to assume that you have read Prof. Martin Pall on multiple chemical sensitivity and concluded that he also is entirely mistaken. So where are the studies on enzyme responses in real people who claim to react to EMF, taken in the field with real EM sources? Nitric oxide levels help explain ALL the reported EHS symptoms of exposure to microwaves from masts and phones, AND the fibromyalgia, thyroid problems and so on down to MND and cancer. I am convinced you know this too. And yet you say:

"There is a whole list of things that are being suggested. ... this can't all be true because radio waves have been around so long and radio engineers don't have particular problems from working near radio waves."

Firstly radio engineers have been reporting problems for a long time: cancers, behavioural changes, mood etc. The same dismissal of their attributions as to cause simply means that proper investigation has not been made, keeping all incidences apart and thereby preventing a coherent picture.

Secondly, as I say, if even only iNOS (inducible nitric oxide synthase) is influenced by EMR, the wide range of symptoms become explicable, even inevitable.

Once again, both you and I realise that permitting this interpretation is profound. If even the range of EHS symptoms have a common cause, then that cause must be investigated for its wider implications: what else might happen over time? And we both know that if EMR + iNOS = EHS, then EMR + iNOS + time = cancer

Maybe this is a dead end line of enquiry, maybe it explains too much but is nevertheless incorrect. I accept that. But in order to find out there must be a serious attempt to show this is not happening, and proposals for NO research were dropped (what did happen to the Babraham Institute MTHR study?) while hundreds of thousands were spent on "communicating uncertain science" and risk (to allay people's fears).

You appear to be determined to continue to inform the public from an expert standpoint that this effect cannot possibly be true, despite all the indicators to the contrary and the absence of effort to find out. Just as you insist that the only cause of cancer is photonic energy breaking covalent DNA bonds, when it is well established that free radical damage to mitochondrial DNA does just that. Cancer is not all caused by ionising radiation! So why can you not accept that EMR can cause the same prerequisite chemical changes? With iNOS we are staring it in the face.

"No definitive scientific proof" is a pretty shoddy response in matters of public health. Not your words, I appreciate on this occasion, but certainly consistent with your sentiments. John Snow, cholera and the Broad Street pump may be a popular analogy, but if he had waited for definitive scientific proof of something as absurd as the notion of a biological agent in the water supply, how many more would have died? He set a principle: if in doubt, remove the potential cause and see what happens.

I am sorry if you find this long and tedious, and that radio programmes are short and inadequate, but you are publicly excluding and denying science directions and perpetuating people's suffering, whether or not it is finally, definitively, scientifically proven to be from EMR or not.

Best regards

Andy Davidson
Tetrawatch

--------

Many thanks Andy for all the work you've put into this letter. I've read it and it is superb.

I think we also need to use the media as much as possible - letters pages, friendly journos, "alternative" publications (remember I gave the details of mag The Green Parent a while ago which would definitely do something - perhaps we should write a piece on the Gov'ts plans for WLANs in schools?) including ABC, TV etc.

Best wishes to you

Gary

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Dear All,

I have been sent the link to "listen again" to BBC You and Yours Radio 4 Programme.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio4/progs/listenagain.shtml

Best wishes,

Yasmin Skelt,
Chorleywood,
England

--------

The Israeli army soldiers started using TETRA since 2004, and there is a high increase in suicides only in the last year in the army, 8 soldiers committed suicides only this month. 30 committed suicides since the beginning of this year. It is not clear what the reason/s is/are, but nothing has changed in the army apart from the new TETRA system and wireless equipment. I don't know other details with regard to diseases among TETRA users in Israel, of course it's just a matter of time till things will raise on the surface.

Iris Atzmon.

--------

I am always cautious about using personal stories, because they have a habit of becoming folklore and even becoming exaggerated in the telling.

"Nicola's Story" is now on Tetrawatch http://www.tetrawatch.net/science/nicolastory.php as told by her mother, because it stands in stark contrast to the complacency of "consensus science" as related in the exchange between Tetrawatch and Mike Clark of the UK's Health Protection Agency http://www.tetrawatch.net/letters/indexradiation.php .

Many people will ask "what more proof do we need?"

We do not need proof, we just need to heed warning signs before many more people are harmed by lack of due diligence in those appointed to attend to public health.

Andy

--------

Mobilfunk und Epilepsie
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/298071/



http://omega.twoday.net/search?q=epilepsy
http://omega.twoday.net/search?q=electromagnetic

By Jonathan Petre, Religion Correspondent Daily Telegraph

(Filed: 26/09/2005)

The Church of England was fending off accusations of hypocrisy from its own clergy last night after it admitted having links with a major British arms manufacturer.

Many of the bishops have criticised the arms trade and the Church Commissioners have a strict policy of avoiding investments in any company producing weapons.

But parishes have been dismayed to find that the mobile telephone aerial company recommended by the Church is part owned by QinetiQ, which develops advanced weapons technology.

One said it felt "severely let down" by the Church because it was in danger of being exposed to "the scandal of a commercial involvement" with a company associated with weapons. However, Church spokesmen insisted that they were not directly investing in arms manufacturers.

They said they had given individual parishes enough information to make their own judgments.

The Archbishops' Council, the Church's managing body, signed an agreement with the telecommunications company Quintel S4 in 2002, giving it "approved status" for mobile phone mast installations in churches.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/exit.jhtml?exit=http://www.cofe.anglican.org/news/church_of_england_signs_aerial_deal_with_quintel.html

The partnership was designed to reassure parishes that wanted to earn extra income by hiring out their spires or towers to mobile phone companies but were wary because they lacked the expertise.

The deal gave Quintel S4 access to thousands of parishes which were potential sites for aerials in return for national guidelines over rent and health and safety issues. Despite growing concerns over mobile phone masts, a number of parishes have since hired out their steeples to the company for thousands of pounds a year.

But some appear to have been unaware of the nature of one of Quintel S4's parent companies, and have said it was not made sufficiently clear by the Church.

The Church's website described QinetiQ as "one of Europe's leading science and technology organisations, formed in July 2001 from the majority of the Government's Defence Evaluation and Research Agency."

Another page made clear that the company was "formed from the research laboratories of the Ministry of Defence".

But Fr Martin Hislop, of St Luke's church, Kingston upon Thames, was shocked when he found QinetiQ advertising its expertise in small arms, missile systems and "the electro-thermal chemical gun".

His parish council has written to the Archbishops' Council, demanding that it sever its links with Quintel S4 "in the light of that company's association with the weapons industry".

Fr Hislop accused the Church of "rank hypocrisy".

He said it seemed to be arguing that "if it dealt with a front company, it doesn't matter who owns it".

The Bishop of Sheffield, the Rt Rev Jack Nicholls, also promised to "ask questions".

But Alexander Nicoll, the head of the Church's internal communications, insisted that the Archbishops' Council remained happy with the agreement because the links between it and QinetiQ were "tenuous at best".

http://www.omega-news.info/telecom_mast_refusals.htm

Yes, but we know the people are still fighting like crazy and that we are educating them. It's not over till it's over.

Sandi

Hi Sandi

You may want to send this to the Carlton Hill school?

BW Gary



InfoTrac Web: Expanded Academic ASAP.
Source: The Lancet, Jan 12, 2002 v359 i9301 p144.

Title: Spain investigates four cancer cases diagnosed in children in one school. (News)(Brief Article) Author: Xavier Bosch

Subjects: Leukemia - Investigations Lymphoblastic leukemia in children - Investigations Locations: Spain

Magazine Collection: 109F4323 Electronic Collection: A81873192
RN: A81873192

Full Text COPYRIGHT 2002 The Lancet Ltd.

The emergence of haematological malignancies in four children at a school in the Spanish city of Valladolid during a 12-month period forced the regional government of Castilla y Leon to close the school on Jan 2 so that experts could try to identify the cause of the cluster of cases.

On Dec 21, before the fourth case was identified, a judge ordered the owners of 36 nearby telephone aerials to switch them off, after repeated complaints by parents. The aerials were on the roof of a building, which was 46 metres from the school. However, before the fourth case of acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) was diagnosed, an epidemiological study by the regional authorities found no relation between the aerials and the first three cases.

The study confirmed that from December, 2000, to September, 2001, two 5-year-old girls and a 9-year-old boy at the school had developed ALL and Hodgkin's disease respectively and noted that the aerials were erected in November, 2000. Although the expected incidence rate of leukaemia and lymphoma in the school was significantly higher than the national average incidence rate--4.3 cases per 100 000 person-years in the 0-14-year-old age group)--the study found no link to the aerials and could not offer any explanation for the three cases.

The study also concluded that the electromagnetic exposure levels from the aerials were within the normal range and that the school was not affected by direct emmission of radiation from the masts. The study also noted that the time between the placement of the aerials and the emergence of the cases was too short to justify the development of the malignancies. The study concluded that "it has not been possible to demonstrate a cause for the cluster of cancer cases in the children from the Garcia Quintana school. The report's authors suggested close surveillance measures should be set up to unravel the source of the cases.

However, the emergence of the fourth case at the end of December prompted the regional authorities to close the school for 455 children as a "health and safety" measure. A new team of experts, commissioned by the health ministry, have been asked to do another epidemiological study. The team will comprise experts from the Instituto Carlos III and the National Institute of Cancer, both at the ministry, and independent epidemiologists, oncologists, paediatricians, and haematologists.

Juan Jose Represa, a researcher at the Higher Research Council, considered the most sensible approach from now on was to investigate whether the malignancies may be related to other causes such as a high-dose exposure to chemical agents in the school or materials used to construct the school. The new study will include an examination of all sources of ionising and non-ionising radiation and will include an analysis of the school's water supply. All children and school staff will have a medical examination. A representative from the school will be invited to all the meetings of the public-health team.

On Jan 3, parents of children at the school filed a lawsuit against the local authorities because they had been prevented from entering the school without a legal order. The director of the school was also prevented from entering the school by the police. Luis Martin, a spokesman for the parents association, said that the closure, and move of the children to another school, was an attempt to put the aerials back into service.

-- End --



Schools & Cellular Antennas
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/976554/

FYI From Jenny

On the 21st Oct last year I wrote to the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution. They asked me to set out the broad outlines of why Mast Sanity wanted them to investigate the mast issue. My letter was posted on the email list for discussion before being approved and sent. Since then I have been in touch with the Commission on and off, but they have been tied up with their latest investigation on pesticides which has now concluded in favour of chemical and pesticide victims. Their Report acknowledges the harm done and strongly advises better health and safety protection for the public. You may have seen it on the news. The government will now be required to take action - or risk public condemnation!

The Commission is now considering its next project. Yesterday I spoke to Tom Eddy, Secretary to the Commission, and within the next few weeks the list of applicants will be sent out, so MS will know who they’re up against! Trustees will need to contact Mr Eddy with a new address, as of course only MS 'officials' can take this forward.

As this was originally my project, I hope no-one will object if I offer a few suggestions, though of course I don’t want to interfere and it is up to those who take this on, as to what they want to do.

My suggestions are:

That a Trustee should write an official letter from Mast Sanity ASAP, and then start a fresh dialogue.

As soon as possible present a real in depth argument to the Commission outlining the full case.

The Commission deals with environmental pollution so all the latest evidence on the huge increase in EMR pollution would be essential. Involve all our scientists including Don of course, and get them to compile a condensed but comprehensive list of the worldwide scientific evidence on damage to health. Ingrid may have this? Include relevant paras from Stewart’s updated Report and the HPA Report. Also - info on Tetra (something from Barry perhaps?) Hyland; Grahame on ICNIRP; something from Roger; Andy’s document on the Industry’s drain on energy resources (very environmental!); evidence of harm to wildlife etc. Dr John Walker’s cancer cluster maps may be useful providing the data is accurate (think Andy may have identified a few errors – not sure about this though).

I suggest that relevant extracts would be preferable to the full scientific studies but of course provide links to the websites.

It might also be useful to have a few sentences on how legislation and planning guidelines have been manipulated to empower the Industry. As long as the document doesn’t become too unmanageable it might be worth. Amanda compiling a brief list of MP’s on our side, PMB’s and EDM’s, and possibly include the letter from George Young as this would indicate the increasing political will to see policy changes towards real protection for the public. Though not strictly essential, it might help the Commission’s decision to know they would have support. However, I realise that with our Charity status, this may not be possible. Sian would have to look into this.

The Royal Commission is one of the few impartial bodies left in the system and is very highly regarded. It is also feared by Big Business for that very reason. The Government doesn’t always abide by its recommendations – again for the same reason. BUT, if it does ignore them, it does so publicly and that makes them look bad. Also it would never be wasted effort, as a conclusion in our favour would still be a huge weapon in our armoury. So I really hope MS will decide to take this forward.

The address is below.

The Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution
(Secretary Tom Eddy)
528 The Sanctuary
Westminster SW1 P 3JS
Tel: 0207 799 8981


Good luck!

BW Jenny

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Good work Jenny!

I'll start compiling something asap. I will include the bills that are being presented before parliament, including EDMs and PMBs, that we are supporting, as this is perfectly compliant with our Charity Status. On the subject of PMBs, we should be aware that the Abortion act of 1967 was presented as a PMB by a then Junior Minister called David Steel! It was originally talked out of time, but because one of the officials with jurisdiction to extend the time the bill was given was the husband of one of the leading campaigners, they managed to get it through. This just shows that the law can be changed via PMBs if we have enough influential people on board!

Amanda

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Great Amanda!

Do hope this gets off the ground. The time scale is really quite urgent because we don't know who we're up against, and we need to get a really powerful argument in before minds are made up - however unofficially! Are you going to be the one in charge and co-ordinating from now? If so, go for it with all guns blazing - I'll be thinking of you!

Lots of luck,

Jenny.

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From Jenny

FAO the Trustee(s) dealing with the Royal Commission

I think Trustees may find it useful to include the following ENVIRONMENT & HEALTH DECLARATION in MS’s application to the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution. They might also consider attaching the ICNIRP Guidelines which clearly do not constitute the ‘Precautionary Principle’ required in this Declaration.

(On the news today the Royal Commission’s recommendation regarding marine protection seems to have forced action by the Government, despite the powerful fishing lobby. So 2 good results – and clearly a body that the Govt doesn’t like messing with if it can be avoided!)


THE WHO (EUROPE)
EUR /04/ 5046267 /6
Budapest, Hungary 23-25 June 2004

DECLARATION

Page 6 Para 17a.

We understand that protecting public health and the environment requires foresight, transparency and the meaningful democratic involvement of stakeholders in decision-making processes. We recognise that delay in addressing a suspected health threat can have public health consequences. This is particularly important when considering the special vulnerability of children to some environmental risks to health. However, we often face uncertainties in our scientific knowledge of the environmental risks to health. We recognise the fundamental value, in the context of environmental policy-making, of the Rio Declaration on Environment and Devolpment of 1992, which says that “where there are threats of serious or irreversible damage, lack of full scientific certainty shall not be used as a reason for postponing cost-effective measures to prevent environmental degradation” and of the European Commission’s 2000 Communication on the Precautionary Principle (COM(2000)1 final). We reaffirm the importance of the precautionary principle as a risk management tool, and we therefore recommend that it should be applied where the possibility of serious irreversible damage to health or the environment has been identified and where scientific evaluation, based on available data, proves inconclusive for assessing the existence of risk and its level but is deemed to be sufficient to warrant passing from inactivity to policy alternatives.

Do hope this helps. Please let me know.

BW Jenny

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And para 17c: "17c. We call upon WHO to ensure that guidelines are developed with the aim of balancing the distribution of benefits and costs of environmental health measures and weighing up the health improvements and other benefits against anticipated costs, as well as possible legal constraints and impediments to free trade."

... which is not quite immune from industry pressure re the "global economic benefits" of a wireless world.

Andy

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This issue of what precisely is precautionary - "approach" or "principle", scientific or political is something the NRPB issued on last summer. The bottom line is that it is about cost-benefit analysis. Different organisations/gatherings have defined it differently, which is why it is so slippery.

As soon as benefits of mobile phones, for example, start to say how many lives are saved by dialling 999 from one, to call police and ambulances on Airwave, you have an argument saying all the EHS and cancer /MND risk is worth it ("because we there is no definitive scientific proof").

So what I am saying is that for all it seems there is a reason for precaution, precaution is so defined as to mean "wait and see until it's too late" (as seems to be the case of the BMA, who said in 2001: "The BMA continues to support the ongoing national and international commitment to research into possible adverse effects of mobile phones. We will continue to keep a watching brief on forthcoming research and policy.")

see also: http://www.tetrawatch.net/science/woolly.php

Andy

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You're right of course, Andy, and realistic - still it was a very similar situation with the chemical/pesticide campaign - multinationals involved/no proof of illness/cost/benefit equation ie benefits outway negatives (human and environmental harm etc etc. The Commission still found in favour of the people! So there's always hope. If we're too negative some might stop trying, and we don't want that! So worth a try, I say.

BW Jenny

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I don't think it's so much a case of being in command, but more a case of being the person online at the time, as I know that everyone will want this dealt with promptly, this is part of the move to get connected with the wider movement, as it were. Will do a draft over next few days. There are a lot of opportunities on the horizon, and although resources are thin we need to exert as much influence as possible, which I believe we are all doing as a network, and the excellent efforts of campaigners around the globe are chipping away at the wall of ignorance and denial that protects the government's propaganda machine. Every letter, petition, article, meeting etc., however pointless or unproductive it seems at the time, adds to the pressure that will hopefully break through the myths that present legislarion is based on. Oh, where to start? By doing what we're doing, for the time being... Carry on Screaming!

Amanda

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Dear Amanda.

Please tell me where to send the covering letter and the letter of objection, I have contact with “Mast-resistance” groups in Denmark, Sweden, Nederland’s, Germany, Canada, Australia and USA and will “Broadcast “ it at a signal.

So, Pls. give an address to send it to.

The material to send is halfway here, as Jennifer has written the objection and we only need the covering letter now.

Best regards.

Agnes

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Dear All

In the application to the Royal Commission, please do not forget to include pulsed microwave radiation from all sources, including obviously masts and TETRA but also DECT phones and wireless computer networks.

I'm particularly concerned about the latter since they are going into all our schools now (primary as well as secondary) and so even if there is no mast near a school there will be a wireless network inside it!

It is particularly hard to persuade people that this is a danger. They just about understand about phone masts but don't seem to get it when WLAN is mentioned and all our children are being exposed.

Sarah

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I totally agree with you Sarah. This networking in schools is going to totally muddy the waters (soon there will be no child who has not been exposed) so how will any surveys have a control group?

Alasdair Phillips (Powerwatch) letter on WLAN should really go out to all schools - hopefully some would look at changing back.

Alasdair also recommends an alternative, thereby giving the school a chance to make an informed choice.

Sylvia

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To those involved in the Royal Commission project.

This is just to inform people that I am sending the following personal ‘letter’ to the Commission under my own name, ie not in connection with Mast Sanity. I have quoted Andy’s figures in this, and therefore assume they are correct, but if they’ve changed perhaps you could let me know Andy? I have incorporated bits of a former PR which I suggested but which was not taken up. However, I still think it’s a powerful combination of arguments which shouldn’t be lost, and which I hope will be particularly relevant and helpful to MS’s application. Now, as then, I give huge credit to Andy for his work in providing the technical data, and of course will officially acknowledge his input in my letter.



LETTER BEGINS

The world needs to take a long hard look at the rapid expansion of mobile phone technology. It is spreading across continents like a relentless and unstoppable army, but its undisputed benefits are increasingly overshadowed by health and safety issues. Many of the most respected experts in this field claim there are potential dangers which could pose a serious long term threat to our human and animal population. In addition, it is now known that wider and more complex issues are also involved. One of the most important, is the threat it poses to global warming – a fact which governments and the Industry are failing to disclose.

The Polar icecaps are melting faster than at any time in history, and according to many scientists we have reached the point of no return. It is now a matter of fact, not conjecture, that the worldwide mobile phone network is contributing to this disaster, with its uncontrolled drain on the world’s precious, dwindling energy resources.

As global warming is at the top of the world political agenda, it is disturbing to learn how much hypocrisy exists within many governments, ours included, where saving our planet is concerned. In the UK, the Government / Telecom Alliance is deliberately reticent about the environmental dangers of the latest 3G mobile phone technology. The £23 billions in licence fees and the further ongoing billions in revenue, pay for a lot of sins and a lot of cover ups. Human life and fragile resources are worth little by comparison.

Industry sources say that 3G will place a significant additional burden on the national electricity supply. As it is, costs are soaring alarmingly, and set to rise even higher. Running 24 hours a day all year round, the huge energy and climate burden of this technology is being ignored. Furthermore, Industry calculations are that the whole system requires 2.4 times the non-renewable energy per customer than the existing 2G network. More 3G masts are needed as their signal range is less than 2G. The Government’s requirement of 80% coverage of 3G throughout the country, means that tens of thousands more masts will be necessary for each of the five operators. The numbers speak for themselves, even taking into account mast sharing.

The Telecommunications Industry, however powerful, cannot be allowed to be so profligate or indiscriminate in its use of energy. The truth is, a moratorium on 3G and Tetra is urgently needed if we are to pull back from the environmental brink, and the health disaster that threatens us all.

Everyone is painfully aware of the controversy surrounding the mast roll-out - the increasing numbers of people obliged to live near them, the increasing numbers who complain of adverse health effects, the devaluation of property, the abuse of human and democratic rights, the irrelevance of safety guidelines and the misinformation on base-station research. The Police Tetra system used by our emergency services is felt to be potentially the most dangerous of all, according to respected independent research. But leaving the health factor aside, we now have it reliably that the combined power requirement, particularly of 3G and Tetra, is a serious supply issue, especially so in the current “energy-crisis” context. It is appalling that efforts to combat global warming are being cancelled out by this profit driven, ruthless product promotion.

This Government must be challenged over its iniquitous Telecommunication planning guidance which is causing irreversible damage to our society and to the planet itself. MP’s across the UK now recognise that there is universal controversy on policies that take no consideration of the human and environmental impact. If we want to protect the health and wellbeing of our society, and that includes the whole social structure from a viable future generation, right down to the value of our homes, we need to act urgently and with courage.

We all want to enjoy the benefits that mobile phones have to offer, but what price are we willing to pay? We might want to travel, but who would want to fly in a plane that had a 75% chance of crashing? The Risk / Benefit equation is no longer on the side of Industry. So the challenge has to be to make the technology safe and environmentally friendly. If the present system needs to be replaced to achieve that, so be it. People have become guinea pigs, without their knowledge and without their consent. The Earth itself has become a victim. Whichever way we look at it, the burden of damage is insupportable.

Jennifer Godschall Johnson

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Dear Gary

My children are in state schools but I'm sure the warning should apply to all schools.

On a cynical note it could well suit the powers that be to have WLAN in schools and DECT phones in peoples houses since soon the cancer clusters around phone masts will be ironed out so there will be no link!!

sarah

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Just some thoughts, since I haven't been otherwise commenting.

It is easy for US to think WLANs are evil. They're not. They're brilliant, convenient and cheaper than wiring and trunking and all the drilling hassle and other expense. For schools that matters: funds are really limited, and a WLAN can be installed at any time, not just in holidays.

The immediate problem is that living in EM fields all the time is not appreciated as a risk. So in many places kids in wireless schools live in a wireless home. How many have WiFi laptops in their later years? Great for taking to Uni too, where campuses are WiFi and you can keep a laptop somewhere safe.

(Personally, I think the social side of permanently connected people, to increasingly unevaluated sources of advice and information, driven subtly and constantly by govt direction and marketing, whilst becoming less communally involved and less critical of power, is a really serious future problem. Don't start me off!)

Also, just as chronic smokers can live to a ripe old age whilst a young person dies from passive smoking, so the EMF risk will be different from person to person. Some may never be affected because their body responds sufficiently robustly to resist any effects. Others have serious EHS from day 1.

And what we do not have is any clear indication of how many or why, fall into which category: it isn't a plain 1:1 issue. WLANs clearly add to the EMF burden. In some places the burden is already so bad it may make little difference, in others where it is the only source and the LAN covers only part of a school, again, maybe no difference. And sure, the situation is so muddy, telling one cause from another is getting impossible.

The message then, must be that pulsed MW EMFs have a risk tag attached to them, and that any additional use increases the risk. Therefore, wireless schools should be avoided. But you can't make it an issue without immediately opening the issue up to the whole microwave business. Because if there is a reason not to have a WLAN in a school, there is a reason for not using a remote baby monitor, scrapping commuter WiFi hotspots, etc. all the way to DECT and mobiles. There is really only one message: what can happen to some people when chronically exposed, and how great is that risk.

When that is accepted, dominos will tumble. But I suspect the industry has stuck its dominos down with global government superglue.

And that is why schools, full of teachers and kids with mobiles, feel they have insufficient information on which to avoid WLANs when pressed for funds.

Andy

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Very confusing, Andy. I would think "brilliant" is the last word one should apply to WLAN. Convenient, yes, but then so are mobile phones, DECT and WIFI networks.

Your first paragraph is contradictory to the rest of your e-mail - so maybe I got the wrong end of the stick (again!)

Sylvia

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Hi Andy

I disagree about them being fantastic inventions. They're preventing people from being fully present, convincing them that a convenience culture is a good one, and pandering to neuroses as if they are normal (thereby increasing lack of self awareness).

All in all I feel they are disengaging people even more than they are already from their own true nature and a real experience of life and it makes me very sad to see it.

Best Gary

Hello John,

Nice to hear from you. I just feel we should always be trying to push the boundaries, no matter how high the wall! The Berlin Wall came down eventually. My gut feeling is we should really push this electrosensitivity (EHF) stuff before the HPA report in October waters it all down to mean nothing. I am currently tackling the appeal for Leicester's Elizabeth House Tower block. You know the 14+ antennas with big cabinets on a 15 floor block. The main and only campaigner, Phil Hendy is really ill now - no surprise, he's on the 15th and top floor, underneath a massive cabinet. Most of the 150 residents of the block are suffering to varying degrees - the least of them apathy, depression, headaches etc. Phil is trying desperately to deliver and collect the letter I wrote for the appeal in the tower block but some days he cannnot get out of bed. If any of you want to support these people from any other areas here or abroad, please email me for a copy of the appeal letter SandraLwr@aol.com . They desperately need your help because they could end up with another 6 antennas on the roof and a cabinet or two. I think they have suffered enough and we should make a stand on this one, don't you? Yes, I know the Inspectorate may ignore letters from out of area but if we can manage to get quite a few going, then they will notice the support, won't they?

http://www.omega-news.info/leicester_appeal.doc
http://www.omega-news.info/leicester_appeal_mast_sanity_copy.doc
http://www.omega-news.info/leicester_appeal_u.k..doc

Thank you for helping these people. I know they will appreciate it.

There are two versions to send, the original one and one with a protest message as the last paragraph. I have sent you both for you to choose. Also a copy of the Mast Sanity letter for your information.

You have to send 3 copies for the Inspectorate, one copy goes to the inspector, one to the council and one to the operator.

Kind regards

Sandi Lawrence
Director of Advisory Services
Mast Sanity

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Planning Inspectorate agency information

Customer Support Unit

We have introduced a new Customer Support Unit and Customer Support Line service. This service provides you with a single point of contact to access all of our services in England. If you query is to do with appeals in Wales then please contact our office in Wales.

If you have an appeal under consideration you should already know a specific contact name and number, they are shown on our letters. If you do not have an appeal with us and you require more general information or help then please contact:

The Planning Inspectorate
Customer Support Unit
Room 3/01 Kite Wing
Temple Quay House
2 The Square
Temple Quay
Bristol
BS1 6PN

Telephone: 0117 372 6372
Fax: 0117 372 8782

The Customer Support Line telephones are answered between 08:00 and 16:45 every weekday. Outside of these times messages are received on our voicemail.

Email: enquiries@planning-inspectorate.gsi.gov.uk

http://www.planning-inspectorate.gov.uk/pins/agency_info/customersupport.htm

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Dear Sirs,

Ref: Appeal Ref no: APP/W2465/A/05/1187966 Roof of Elizabeth House LE2 0QP

I totally back all the objections raised against the appeal by 02 UK on the Elizabeth House, Leicester, planning application, and agree that nothing should be withdrawn from the planning application paperwork.

Although I represent Mast Sanity as Director of Advisory Services, this is my personal objection letter. The views I express are entirely my own, although some may also be the views of Mast Sanity.

Elizabeth House residents have been campaigning against the existing masts for several years. Not because they did not like the look of them, but because some residents felt unwell and noticed changes in the quality of their lives and health.

I had no worries about phone masts until a TETRA mast was erected on a building in Bognor Regis and I began to experience bad headaches and nosebleeds when I shopped there. Since that time I have become more and more sensitive and suffer other symptoms associated with mast sickness, which are well documented in research carried out since the 70's, some of which has been peer reviewed.

I am absolutely certain that the TETRA masts cause some people to become unwell, and that their health deteriorates, because this Bognor TETRA mast was removed after 5 months at the landowner's request, and all of the people around the mast site who had also been unwell gradually recovered after two or three weeks. Also the smaller species of birds which had suddenly left the area after the mast was turned on, gradually came back.

Also, unbeknown to anyone, TETRA was added to a previously unused BT mast in the Bognor Regis parish of Felpham shortly after, and without planning permission i.e. unlawfully. People became unwell there and appeared to have classic mast symptoms, yet none of the hard core campaigners in the area believed that there was TETRA there. They were later proved wrong. This unlawful mast is still there today with no retrospective planning permission

So, this area may be unique in that we have had proof of the health effects microwave radiation can cause in two very different ways and via the worst example of this technology, the very dangerous 02 Airwave TETRA. There is at least one TETRA mast near Elizabeth House, Leicester.

I have answered the Mast Sanity Advice Line since October 04 and have a very good idea of the extent of the so called "anecdotal evidence" of ill health across the UK. I find it hard to understand how government bodies and health officials can ignore all of this, and add further injustice to sick people by labelling this ill health as 'psychosomatic' or 'non-existent.' You have to wonder if there is any human decency in any of them and if they are any better than terrorists.

Basically, people in the UK who genuinely have classic mast symptoms (which are now being treated in Germany by German doctors), are either misdiagnosed or discredited. Some are referred to psychiatrists and further discredited. Mr D P Hendy of Elizabeth House has been put through this process, yet NHS specialists are encountering problems in treating his illnesses in the conventional way.

I know of many more people, some of whom have been asked to leave a doctor's surgery, just because they are certain that these newer mast technologies are badly affecting their health and well-being. Others have to move to another area, only to be faced with another mast planning application after they have moved.

Interestingly, all of these people who go away for a few weeks to places with less emissions begin to recover, except for those who have become severely ill, but even they find some relief.

How much more proof is needed? When will government bodies and mobile phone companies stop this practice of denial for material considerations? When too many die?

What about our children and their future? If adults are affected by this technology, the long term results for children could be even worse. Yet masts are put up in residential areas, near or on schools, hospitals etc, and very close to residential property. When will this insanity be stopped? When it is too late?

I urge the Inspector to speak to these people in Elizabeth House. It may not be the usual practice, but it needs to be done if there is to be any justice and consideration of human rights ever again in this supposedly democratic country. We should not be adding masts to the roof of Elizabeth House, we should be removing the existing masts.

I urge the Inspector to declare that "special circumstances" exist for Elizabeth House in line with the Harrogate Judgement. I ask him to be merciful to fellow human beings in great distress. Enough is enough.


Yours sincerely

Mrs S L Lawrence

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I had a phone box call from Phil Hendy, the main campaigner of Elizabeth House, yesterday. He says he is managing to distribute and collect letters because he is sitting in the foyer and catching those who go in and out. I wondered if he would have the energy to cover the 10 flats on 15 floors himself, but obviously he has worked out a solution. When I told him that other areas of Leicester, and the UK, were sending in letters to back Elizabeth House, he was absolutely delighted and asked me to thank you all and tell you how much he appreciates it. He will inform the other residents as and when he can. He told me there are other flats in the same state in Leicester. He also said that there are THREE TETRA masts near Elizabeth House, one on the roof of the building opposite, on London Road, another on the roof on a buiding alongside Elizabeth House, and the third in a street nearby off of London Road. Your efforts gave Phil a lift he badly needed. I really don't know how he keeps going. He is quite amazing.

Sandi

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I have reproduced an email sent to me re: the Elizabeth House, Leicester appeal, with this lady's permission. I have got other offers, too, but this one has a special message for us all that I wanted you all to see.

Sandi


Hi Sandi,

Thanks for your email and news update on Phil, what a brave man he is and all honours to him, I wish him much luck and success on with his campaign.

I had a thought that came to me with regards to my forthcoming photographic Exhibition in march 2006 at the Islington Town Hall Museum, for which I am exhibiting various photo's of in and around the Borough, Called Islington Uncut, whereby I am expressing various subject matters.

I am aware of a tower block at Finsbury Park in Islington that has so many phone masts on it its quite scary considering it is a residents council block, so I have decided to photograph this block and highlight the plight of phone mast sanity with this photograph, the good news is that members of the council shall be visiting my exhibition as well as the general public, so it will be a good opportunity to bring attention to this important issue. I may be asked to remove it, but I doubt it and I may never get an exhibition there again, as this is my second, however I feel quite strongly about this issue.

I shall keep you informed.......

My minds still working on other ideas...... as well......

My mother always told me I was good at putting the cat amongst the pigeons as they say.

Give my regards to phil, would like to get some photos of him at Elizabeth House, I really admire people like yourself and Phil and all those who have the guts to stand up and be counted. I was in Irealand earlier this year doing some photographic work and there is a statue in Dublin of Jim Larkin who rose to fame protesting on behalf of the working class and his plaque reads :

THE GREAT APPEAR GREAT, BECAUSE WE ARE ON OUR KNEE'S...LET US RISE

Kind Regards

Jennifer