ABERYSTWYTH

Health officials were accused this week of siding with Britain’s newest mobile phone network in an escalating row over construction of a controversial base-station on the roof of Bronglais Hospital.

NHS trust chiefs approved Hutchison 3G’s multi-media mast despite furious protests by residents following new evidence that base-station radiation affects brain-waves and can seriously damage health. The phone company last week began installing the mast on the hospital roof in the face of a flood of objections by people living nearby and by Ceredigion AM Elin Jones and MP Mark Williams. Local health officials gave the go-ahead without reference to the trust board and in defiance of new evidence from Austria and Holland about the possible dangers of third-generation (3G) transmission.

Three Dutch government ministries found signals from 3G masts could cause headaches and nausea, while an Austrian study warned of “serious consequences” for public health. Town councillor Sue Jones-Davies, who has taken up the residents’ case and says protests will continue, said: “Why are they being allowed to put something as controversial as this on something as sensitive as a hospital? “No-one can put their hands on their hearts and say such masts are safe. This is a public building, and the public have said clearly they do not want it here, yet their wishes are being dismissed. “Instead of listening to its near neighbours here in Aberystwyth, the NHS trust is acting in a way that obliges the shareholders of a multinational company.”

The contract with Hutchison, owned by the Hong Kong-based conglomerate Hutchison Whampoa, was approved by trust chief executive Allison Williams. She claims the mast will earn only a “very small” amount of money for the trust, which is about £1.4 million in the red, but has refused to reveal details of the deal. In July she told the Cambrian News the contract with Hutchison could be cancelled if protests continued.

Residents continued to say they were worried radio waves from the mast could damage their health, but last week the company confirmed engineers had now begun to instal its three antennae and two dishes on the hospital roof. Hutchison, who say all their sites operate well below international radiation emission guideline levels, claimed residents did not answer letters sent out as part of a public consultation exercise.

Omega see "Base Stations, operating within strict national and international Guidelines, do not present a Health Risk?"
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/771911/

Residents say they never received the letters. Earlier, Ms Williams declined to comment on why the trust had not acted on its assurance that the mast contract could be cancelled if protests continued. She also remained silent on why the trust was continuing to co-operate with Hutchison for the sake of “very small” earnings , while refusing to heed residents’ concerns over a development which focused not on basic or emergency communication but merely on entertainment through audio and video-clip services. She said: “At the time of signing the contract we were not aware of any concerns having been raised by the local residents. We had been reassured that the consultation had been carried out.”

Hutchison regional corporate affairs manager Verity Stanford told the Cambrian News: “The hospital is ideally located to provide coverage to the east end of the town. All our installations operate at fractions of the international public emissions standards. “There is no proven evidence that masts or mobile phones that operate to guidelines cause adverse health effects."

Omega this is not true. See under:
http://omega.twoday.net/topics/Wissenschaft+zu+Mobilfunk/ and
http://omega.twoday.net/search?q=Cancer+Cluster
http://www.buergerwelle.de/body_science.html

A couple who spent their life savings on a doomed two-year battle over a Hutchison mast face financial ruin after being presented with a claim for £400,000 in legal costs. Agnes Ingvarsdottir, 61, her husband, Ericur Petursson, 63, and their son, Neils Erickson, 42, claimed that they began to suffer nausea, headaches, tinnitus and cardiovascular disease after the telecommunications company installed the mast on the roof of a restaurant opposite their home in Worcester. But their attempt to prove that the mast caused the symptoms was thrown out by the High Court and they were instructed to pay Hutchison 3G’s legal costs, which amount to £407,398. The company said that it had offered the family numerous opportunities to settle out of court. ‘Company erected Parcyllyn mast in the dead of night!’ A CEREDIGION County councillor has said he feels like taking a chainsaw to a 15 metre telecommunications mast which he claims was erected near houses at Parcyllyn, Aberystwyth, overnight.

Cllr Paul James told colleagues on the authority’s planning committee that the mast which is not used by TETRA - had nevertheless been put up without consultation with any of the people living in the vicinity of Country Stores. In a blazing attack on the applicants Hutchison 3G, Cllr James urged the authority to throw out their application to operate over a 12-month period. “Personally I would like to take a chainsaw to this thing,” he said. “This company came under cover of darkness like some sort of commando unit and erected this15 metre mast in the dead of night. The first thing local residents knew of it was when they looked out of their windows the next morn-ing. “This mast is a distraction to motorists and could cause an accident - instead of looking at the road motorists are looking at the mast.”

Cllr James made his comments after hearing planning officer Ritchie Williams read out letters from local residents who pointed out there were three schools and an Ysgol Feithrin in the vicinity whose views regard-ing the mast were never sought. Mr Williams pledged to canvas opinion among the nearby schools. He said: “I have no problem with this mast on visual grounds. This application is a temporary one, so any harm to amenities would be reversible.” But Cllr James drew the committee’s atten-tion to the existence of a 116-name petition calling on the county council to get the mast removed and added that Llanbadarn com-munity council had also raised objections. “The pictures we are looking at do not show how close this mast is to people’s gar-dens,” he maintained. “The report says 40m, but I would say 20m. This mast was put up without any prior permission.”

His sentiments were echoed by Cllr Dai Suter who spoke of his anger at the way Hutchison 3G had operated. “I cannot understand the arrogance of the people who put these things up without going through the proper procedures,” he said. “People should be told you cannot erect these masts and expect to get away with it. They need to be taught a lesson.”

And Cllr Lyndon Lloyd commented: “There’s a coach and horses being driven through this committee by this operator. We do not seem to have any control over these people whatsoever.”

Cllr Suter also expressed scepticism that the mast would be a temporary one. He said: “We have all seen examples of things that were put up temporarily 10 or 15 years ago. “We are here to defend residents and I think the people responsible for this mast should be kicked into touch - big time.

Mr Williams reminded councillors that their job was not to teach applicants ‘a lesson’ but to consider each planning application on its merits. It was agreed to refer the matter to the site inspection panel.

South Wales Evening Post

10:00 - 21 September 2005

I was interested to read (Post, September 8) of the Cassiopeia mast emissions monitoring system to be provided by Vodafone and Swansea Council to allay public concerns on levels of those emissions. As one of a growing number of scientists deeply concerned about the health effects of radiation from phone masts, I feel your readers should know that none of those scientists believe that radiation levels are sufficiently high to fry us - which is effectively the only risk that those "precautionary health guidelines" protect us from.

The guidelines themselves explicitly state that they don't claim to offer any protection against other risks - such as an increased risk of cancer.

It may also interest your readers to know that the "precautionary approach" advised by the Government-appointed Stewart Committee was considered necessary precisely because peer-reviewed scientific research had shown repeatedly that those guidelines were inadequate to protect against observed long-term non heat-based effects - such as increased risk of cancer and brain damage.

It's interesting to note that, in Greek Mythology, Cassiopeia was superficially very attractive, but her vanity and boastfulness led to widespread death and devastation across her lands.

Let's just hope that this superficially attractive exercise in spin from Vodafone doesn't leave the people of South Wales paying a higher price than they'd bargained for.

Further information on this subject is available on my website http://www.starweave.com

Dr Grahame Blackwell,
Uphill,
Newton Abbot,
Devon

Border Counties Advertiser
21.09.05

HUNDREDS of West Felton residents have pledged to defend their homes from intrusion from a 50ft radio mast being built in a local field.

A second full-house was anticipated for a public meeting organised on Monday in the parish hall with many residents planning to take legal action to head off the mast on farmland near The Avenue.

Angry residents say the first they knew of the mast was when groundwork began in the field two weeks ago.

Parish councillor Pat Mabe said that there was a lot of ill feeling towards the mast with many residents fearing for the health of children at the nearby school and the value of their properties.

“We are going to try and get the Borough Council to do something about it because this is too close to people’s homes. There’s a lot of feeling in the village. The villagers are all together about it. We feel betrayed by people who should be taking care of us,” she added.

According to reports, Orange first contacted the Borough Council in 2002 about putting a mast in West Felton.

The Borough consulted West Felton Parish Council which said it was too close to people’s homes. The phone company maintain the information was never received.

Planning officers from the borough, and phone company Orange were invited to last Monday’s meeting.

Many residents are concerned about the prospects of selling their homes and cannot understand how newcomers have bought their homes in the last six months without the proposed mast showing up on searches. Some are understood to be so incensed they are considering picketing the site and also claiming a reduction in their council taxes.

Mr Tim Rogers, planning officer with Oswestry Borough Council said that when the mast was first consulted upon in 2002 it did not need planning permission as it was less than 15 metres high.

There was a dispute between the Borough Council and Orange over an e-mail which reported the concerns of West Felton Parish Council which the company say was out of time.

However Mr Rogers said the mast could not have been stopped at that time and the disputed e-mail would only have been about the location and possible screening of the site.

Orange, which could not be contacted by The Advertizer, is reported to have refused to attend a public meeting.

Sep 20 2005

icSurrey online Epsom and Banstead

By Joan Mulcaster

WORSHIPPERS are praying for neighbours' approval of their bid to put a mobile phone mast on the roof of their church.

The proposal, by historic Grade ll listed St Martin of Tours, Epsom's Parish Church, is because cash is badly needed for £350,000 worth of work on the building and adjoining hall in Church Road.

But vicar, the Rev Simon Talbot, is aware that agreeing to the financial offer from QS4 could not have come at a worse time - just after the outcry which stopped council bosses agreeing to a mobile phone mast in Court Road recreation ground.

He said: "I am aware of this and I am sending out letters to all addresses within a 250 metre radius of the church and we are having a consultation session on Wednesday October 5 from 4pm to 8 pm to answer questions.

"The annual rental income cannot be disclosed at the company's request but it will be very useful for the work we need to do on our old church centre and work in the church itself - including providing a toilet for the disabled.

"We live in the age of mobile phones which have invaluable uses not just for young people but the elderly. Yes, I have one - and phone companies have an obligation to provide good reception.

"The church roof tower at the rear of the building where it will go is about 70ft high so the mast, designed to look like a flagpole, will only be two to three metres high.

"QS4 even has a special department to make sure designs fit in with the churches and we will be able to fly a flag on it if we want to.

"I know of at least one other church in the area which, if this goes ahead, might also consider it.

"The tower is not one of our main ones at the front but the back where it will overlook the churchyard.

"A data base was set up after the Archbishop's Council established a national system. Every parish was written to and we were approached 18 months ago.

"The vote by the Parochial Church Council was made after a very positive discussion and the vote was clearly in favour.

"There will be no final decision whether the project will go ahead for at least three months."

Mr Talbot said before agreeing the Parochial Church Council sought advice from the radiological protection divison of the Health Protection Agency, which assured them risks from masts were far less than those from the phones themselves.

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QS4 has a special deal with the C of E, using technology from Qinetiq (The private arm of the Ministry of Defence) to install masts. Loads of money to the church of course.

The Qinetiq technology allows all 5 operators to share the same antennae (antenna sharing rather than mast sharing), into which they all feed their separate signals.

Good military technology purporting to save the day:

1) save on numbers of planning applications

2) save on refusals and appeals (the church is not subject to the same planning regulations)

3) get your masts into residential areas (that's where churches tend to be)

4) find convenient tall structures

5) find someone who desperately needs the money

6) sell it as beneficial to the community (who better to want to be seen to do this?)

7) surveillance? Where better to hide it.

Got it in one.

Andy

--------

QS4 has a special deal with the C of E, using technology from Qinetiq (The private arm of the Ministry of Defence) to install masts. Loads of money to the church of course. The devil must be laughing his head off on the irony of this one! With the additional profit from mobile phone porn and gambling, all angles must be covered.

I find it hard to believe that people who follow the Christian faith can be so focused on material profit and so unconcerned about those with health problems because they live near masts. Maybe they genuinely haven't heard about all the mounting evidence linking mobile phone technology to cancer and other serious illness.

There is only one reason I can think of why churches would agree to housing antennae in their buildings and that would be for money.

There are plenty of examples in the Bible of how Jesus hated profiteering in the church.

I believe this episode in the Bible (see examples below) is the only one where we actually hear that Jesus was angry with what he saw.

He was usually filled with pity for those who did wrong, but not in this case.

My local United Reformed Church has supported my fight against our local mast and have written to the planning dept. expressing their concern.

Our church is directly next door to the mast and due to the increasing evidence of cancer clusters around them, we are concerned about the well being of the children who attend the daily playgroup.

Our church is really poor and we have serious worries about the upkeep of the building but as a community I am sure we would never stoop to this way of raising money.

Can you imagine Jesus taking money from the Romans or the Jewish authorities to keep his ministry together?

Didn't Judas get his 30 coins of silver and what good did that do him?

Mark 8:36 What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?

Anyone out there fighting a mast on a local church...I would be happy for you to pass this message on to your local minister.

He can challenge me if he wants to !

If these men have a conscience these words will reach them.

Best wishes,

angieb

A new initiative to form a statutory claim for compensation for any adverse effect on your property caused by the proximity and operation of telecommunications masts.

This initiative will test legal rights of redress for loss of amenity and value resulting from the construction and operation of mobile phone masts under existing telecommunications legislation.

There is little in the planning guidelines and certainly in law, to protect property owners from the effects of telecoms installations. Whether you don’t like the look of them, or you fear the health risks (real and proven or not), the effects can be substantial.

Increasingly land and property values are being affected. The presence of masts diminishes the desirability of property, reduces its visual amenity, and limits its use.

The ability to watch a video or TV clip in someone else’s residential area, or to send email, or even just to talk, should not be a greater commercial imperative than the value of the other person’s property.

It is simply time that people were heard instead of being ignored as if all that matters is reaching everyone with a mobile phone with market-driven services, wherever they are.

http://www.mastvoice.co.uk


From Mast Sanity



Affects on Residential Property Value as a Consequence of Telecom Instalations
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/1019472/

They claim phones are safe, and that they have scientific proof, SO WHAT IS KEEPING THEM FROM GIVING "GUARANTY´S" FOR SAFETY"?

Agnes


“Electrosmog” – Are We Getting Too Much?

September 19, 2005

There's no getting away from it: we are bombarded with electromagnetic radiation from remote control devices, cell phones and other sources. But is the bombardment harmful? It depends who you ask. Ergonomics enters the issue when it comes to taking action. A switch that turns off the radiation can claim ergonomic credentials. So can a warning device. People worried about when to take action represent a ready market for an "electrosmog" meter released recently in Britain.

London-based Sensory Perspective says its new Electrosmog Detector meters potentially harmful pollution - described as electrosmog -- from nearby wireless technologies. The hand-sized battery-powered meter has a speaker that signals if there is a large concentration of activity in the wireless spectrum between 50MHz and 3000MHz. The company regards cordless phones, cell phones, wireless computer networks, baby alarms, microwaves and other appliances as polluting.

It cites studies implicating so-called electrosmog in a host of conditions, including one the British Department of Health, the Health Protection Agency and the World Health Organization call electrosensitivity or electrohypersensitivity (EHS). Adverse health effects attributed to EHS include chronic fatigue, depression, headaches, epilepsy, behavioral changes in children, disrupted sleep patterns and skin complaints. The company said its research shows that between 3 percent and 5 percent of the general population could be at risk from radiation pollution.

The July 27 issue of The Ergonomics Report™ ergonomicsreport.com, a publication for professionals requiring in-dept coverage of current ergonomics issues, focused on the potential harm of cell phones. It cited 1998 research linking cell phone use with high blood pressure, and a Swedish study published in 2002 that linked analog cell phones and brain tumors.

Yet as many other studies dismiss the harm findings, as suggested by the title of the July 27 The Ergonomics Report™: "Are Cell Phones Dangerous? It's Still An Open Question."

Cell phone manufacturers are loud in their denials:

"Years of scientific research reaffirm there are no health risks associated with wireless phones," said Nokia spokesman Keith Nowak.

From Motorola: "Scientific experts review this issue on a continual basis.

Their conclusions have been consistent over many years: the radio signals from wireless telephones, two-way radios or other portable communications devices pose no known health risk."

A study published this year in Psychosomatic Medicine 67:224-232 debunks a study that suggests some individuals are more susceptible to the emissions than others. Dr G. James Rubin and his research team at the Mobile Phone research Unit at King's College in Britain write: "the symptoms reported by 'electromagnetic hypersensitivity' sufferers can be proven experimentally, suggesting the presence of the condition is unrelated to weak electromagnetic fields."

The continuing dispute is fertile ground for scaremongering. Issued by a manufacturer of devices purported to shield users from harmful phone radiation, the scare runs like this: "Don't accept the industry denials that mobile phones are safe. Mobile phones could be the cigarettes of the 21st century with similar legal battles ahead!"

Though researchers may argue forever about the potential for harm, they don't dispute electromagnetic radiation exists. The ergonomic value of an effective meter is that it can provide anyone worried about radiation the kind of information they need to decide if they want to escape - by turning off devices in the vicinity or moving to another spot.

Sources: Sensory Perspective; The Ergonomics Report™

-- Jennifer Anderson

http://www.ergoweb.com/news/detail.cfm?id=1195

From: Eileen O'Connor
Subject: Eye, Eye
Date: Mon, Sep 19, 2005, 9:38 AM

Private Eye, 16 Sept. 05 HP Sauce, Conference Special,

The Social Market Foundation (SMF) has published its list of corporate sponsored fringe meetings at the upcoming Labour party conference in Brighton - and it will be business as usual at a string of wine-and-policy meetings with ministers.

The Mobile Operators Association is paying for a meeting with science minister Lord Sainsbury, where its director Mike Dolan will join a platform discussion on health scares in the media. Buoyed by recent studies showing no link between mobile phones and cancer, the phone firms want government backing against planning objections to new mobile masts.

Mobile company '3' meanwhile is sponsoring a meeting with culture secretary Tessa Jowell, Burnley MP and former special adviser to Patricia Hewitt Kitty Usher and Roy Hattersley.

Though the mobile firms are cuddling up to Labour, they aren't always so friendly. Collectively they currently have a claim working its way through the European Courts demanding a £3billion VAT rebate from Chancellor Gordon Brown for the 3G phone licences they bought from him.

The other way they hope to recoup some of the cash they paid for the new 'picture phones' licences is - porn.

For example, 3 sell its phones by advertising a 'top shelf' service which includes "slide shows and videos, from Playboy, Mayfair, Escort, Men Only, Club International, and Men's World" on your handset. (hands free operation optional)...(article continues with other big biz. chums of New Labour)

--------

I was just looking at my friend's yesterdays Daily Mail and there was an article about children looking at porn on their mobiles at school and passing it arouond the classroom. Some companies have a block that only the parents can remove but O2 do no and said they do not see it as a problem [well they would not would they.] The expected revenue from the porn on phones over the years is expected to be a nice little earner for the phone companies, millions and millions!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sue g

--------

That, and gambling, will be needed to kick start the revenues.

Today's Independent carried this:

"Gambling by mobile phones is booming"

Martin Hickman

Gambling by mobile phone has rocketed, with the number of betting pages downloaded expected to approach 3 million this year; a rise of 367 per cent in 2004.

The conclusion of research by Mintel has sparked concern that the almost unlimited access to gambling provided by mobile phones will fuel a rise in adiction. Another potential problem is children gambling by phone.

Overall the researchers estimated mobile phones would receive 30 million downloads this year - a 25-fold rise.

etc.."

And don't forget that 3G phones will become the target of marketeers: once you let yourself be "registered" for anything you could open the floodgates to phone spam. Phones are not just for the caller, or for talking; they are for persuading and selling: anything. And what is the majority of email spam about??

Bad news.

Andy

--------

From Karen Barratt

The Yvette Cooper story was supplied to Private Eye by Mast Sanity. They carried our original Keith Hill story too:

WHAT is it with planning ministers and anti-mobile phone mast campaigns? Back in Eye 1129 it was Keith Hill MP, then minister for planning, merrily campaigning against a giant mobile phone mast near a park in his Lambeth constituency - after spending months staunchly defending his department's unwillingness to tackle the feeble planning laws applying to masts. Now the current planning minister Yvette Cooper is tangling with Vodafone over plans for a 28ft mast on a housing estate in her Pontefract and Castleford constituency, where the company wanted to talk to objectors individually rather than face them at a public meeting. Back in July she told the Commons that on the matter of mobile phone masts: "Parliament has given local planning authorities the responsibility for development control in their areas. The secretary of state does not seek to interfere with the jurisdiction of local planning authorities unless it is necessary to do so." Yet there she was backing the 500 objectors to the mast, writing to Vodafone to insist on it consulting residents properly and telling the local press that she was "appalled" by the company's behaviour. Cooper's department recently commissioned Arup to find out whether mobile phone companies are obeying the voluntary commitments they made to things like, er, public consultation meetings. Looks like she has her answer...

This is Local London

AN MP has called for a change in the planning laws as they affect mobile phone masts.

David Evennett, who represents Bexleyheath and Crayford, is a long-time opponent of masts in residential areas.

He would like phone companies to face the same planning procedures for their masts as any other planning application.

Currently, only masts taller than 15m are subject to the full planning procedure.

Smaller ones have to have prior approval which gives planning committees the chance to comment, but only within narrow criteria such as siting and appearance and it can refuse to give approval.

Mr Evennett said: "Masts in residential areas are a blot on the landscape, an eyesore, nappropriate and out of character.

"There are also the health issues to consider.

"The law must be changed and I will endeavour to support a law change in Parliament."

9:50am Saturday 17th September 2005

Norwich Evening News

17 September 2005 12:32

Mobile phone mast campaigners in Norwich and Norfolk could be offered the chance to discover the effects of radiation from base stations through a new test.

Families who believe they are suffering ill-effects from phone mast emissions will be able to ask for a blood test to find out the effect of radiation.

LaboTech, the German laboratory, which has pioneered the process, will for the first time accept samples from British patients for analysis.

Ingrid Dickenson, director of scientific studies for national phone mast charity Mast Sanity, is responsible for the initiative.

“It seemed quite wrong to me that people in this country were being denied the chance to have this test,” she said.

“Although they will have to pay, we hope in time it will be included as one of the routine tests available on the NHS.”

The blood samples will be taken by the London based Biolab Medical Unit at a cost of £25 and sent to Germany for analysis.

This will cost a further £125 but is still cheaper than routine blood tests carried out privately.

Patients will then be given an individual programme of supplements, certified by the German Department of Health.

It is hoped that these supplements will be available from a British pharmacy at a future date.

Norwich North MP Dr Ian Gibson, a prominent campaigner against phone masts, said: “I think it's great. Anything that gives us evidence has to be welcomed.

“The struggle goes on and anything is worth doing - this kind of sampling has to be welcomed.”

Dr Gibson, who has been a long-time supporter of the Evening News's campaign against the installation of mobile phone masts near homes and schools until it is proved they are safe, urged city people to put themselves forward.

David Shailer, of Montcalm Road, Thorpe Hamlet, who successfully fought against an application for yet another antenna on the Mousehold water tower, said he would be interested in taking part.

“That sounds very good,” he said. “I think it's positive, and it might calm down a lot of the uncertainty.”

But while he admitted he was interested in taking part in the study, the cost would be the stumbling block.

“I'm in favour of it,” he said. “But when you say £25 and £125 your talking about £150 by the time you've finished.

“I would say that the companies who operate the masts near residents should be forthcoming in paying for the tests or the Government should pay for the tests for people who live near masts.”

Graham Barker, of Lloyd Road, Taverham, lives near to a controversial replacement Vodafone mast on Fakenham Road, said: “It's interesting, some people might welcome it, but I would want to know more about it.

“It's something some people might view as commercial exploitation but others might see that there's something in it.”

Mr Barker said it is something he would have to know a lot more about before he was prepared to commit himself too.

“I wouldn't rush in head first,” he said. “I would want to learn much more about the background.”

Pressure group Mast Sanity said the blood test was just the beginning in a campaign to make the public aware that mobile phone technology and health is a worldwide issue and that other countries are already taking steps to protect the public.

If you are interested in finding out more about the tests contact Biolab medical unit, 9 Weymouth Street, London, W1W 6DB; or call 02076365959; log onto http://www.biolab.uk , or e-mail info@biolab.co.uk .

Are you fighting plans to site a phone mast in your neighbourhood? Call Peter Walsh at the Evening News on (01603) 772443 or email peter.walsh@archant.co.uk

BY MELISSA BECK
Derbyshire Evening Telegraph

09:30 - 17 September 2005

People power has ensured a third set of plans to install a mobile phone mast in Shelton Lock have been withdrawn.

The latest application to install an 11.7m mast in Chellaston Road came in December after residents and Derby City Council planners quashed two previous proposals.

But next Wednesday, residents attending an Area Panel 2 meeting, which consists of the council wards of Alvaston, Boulton, Chellaston and Sinfin, will be told that T-Mobile has withdrawn the plans again.

The first proposal was made by T-Mobile in October 2003 to install an 11m mast on a grass verge outside the Shelton Lock Fish Bar, at the junction of Chellaston Road and Weston Park Avenue.

About 400 residents signed a petition and, in March 2004, the plans were withdrawn.

The company then submitted new plans for a mast in front of the Esso garage in Chellaston Road - about 200 metres from the original site.

Another petition was submitted to the council and the proposal was rejected by planners in June 2004 after they said it would obstruct the pavement and the visibility of drivers.

A formal application does not have to be submitted to the council for masts under 15 metres, but planners can reject proposals if the site is inappropriate, obstructs the pavement or the visibility of drivers.

The latest plans for a site on Chellaston Road, which have now been withdrawn, would have been near the filling station and would have included an equipment cabin in Acorn Close. Residents again set up a petition collecting more than 250 signatures.

Phil Day, of Chellaston Road, said: "At the moment it seems the residents are winning the battle against T-Mobile. But we don't know what alternative locations the company is considering. We don't want to push it into other people's back gardens."

Andreas Symeou, of Shelton Lock Fish Bar, is delighted with the company's decision.

He said: "It shows that if the community gets together then sometimes you can beat the big companies."

Philip Ingall, of St Peter's Road, Chellaston, is a member of the Mast Action Committee, a group protesting against planned mast sites in the area.

He said: "T-mobile worked with residents in a constructive and positive way to find a more suitable area for the mast. It's just a shame other mobile phone companies don't do the same thing."

A T-Mobile spokesman said he was unable to confirm other possible locations for the mast. He said: "All we can say at the moment is that we are in consultation with the council and residents and we are reviewing the options available to us."

At a council cabinet meeting on Wednesday, councillors unanimously voted to confront the Government over the proliferation of mobile phone masts in Derby after Chellaston councillors, Paul Willitts and Ron LIversedge, claimed that parts of the city were "almost under siege" by phone masts.