BBC News website 19th June 05

Objectors to a proposed mobile phone mast have joined conservationists to investigate whether the plans threaten a colony of bats.

More than 150 residents of Hoghton, Lancashire , plan to oppose the 15m (49ft) mast proposed by T-Mobile.

Residents say a meeting with the firm did not allay their concerns about siting the mast on farmland near a school and homes.

A firm said health concerns over mobile phone masts were groundless.

'Health risks'

Resident Mr Chris Nelson said locals would be contacting the Bat Conservation Trust to investigate what effect the mast could have on the bats.

Mr Nelson said residents had concerns about the health risks from the masts.

"The government recommends that local authorities do not take health effects into consideration, however, many local authorities are rejecting these recommendations including Kent County Council, which refuses to endorse consents on any council land, due to their concerns over health," he added.

T-Mobile met residents in a local school before lodging a planning application with South Ribble Council.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/lancashire/4106992.stm

I want to remind you that the Mast Sanity National Conference and AGM is on the 8th and 9th October. Either visit in person or try and send someone from your area or campaign group. The venue is University of London, Regent Street, London - next to Oxford Circus tube station. A great opportunity to hear the latest and visit one of the worlds most wonderful cities!! And meet wonderful people.


It has come to my attention that 02 are a major sponsor of Live 8 and will also presumably be making huge profits from their role as a "key broadcast and facilitation partner" in the event.

Given all the fuss about coca cola's potential sponsorship, I am wondering if there might be any mileage in campaigning around this issue? Not much time, but messages round various email lists might be a start to get people thinking about ways they could protest. Have tried to find a communication routeway via Live 8 websites but am supposed to be doing other things right now. Will try later.


Karen Wren
no2tetra

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Good comment Karen. Also do O2 get tickets to give to councillors, politicans, planning officers etc???

I think mast campaigners in the UK are absolutely exhausted fighting their own campaigns. The operators just keep coming back, like something out of "Terminator"! This tactic means we have less time, energy and money to do the high profile stuff like complaining about the 2million text messages sent to get tickets to Live 8. The only way to get tickets was to text. Does Geldof not know about Tetra and what O2 are doing? He can never read the newspapers, listen to the radio or watch the news.

Also Glastonbury has released a few thousand more tickets but you can only get them if you own an Orange phone! "What about the f***** Orange masts Mr Glastonbury Organiser?"

Elton John earned £24 million (US$ 43million) last year. An international icon - but he does an Orange advert. Surely he doesn't need the money?

This is something we need do. Tell famous people to behave ethically where mobile phones and masts are concerned. How can people complain about Coca Cola and then say nothing about the horrible treatment the British public get from the phone operators?

Best Yasmin Skelt, Chorleywood, England

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Yasmin .

Thank you and Karen, I had read it in the paper, but was to busy, to react.

Anyone- Pls. tell me who has Bob Geldofs E-mail address?

Lets swamp him with protest e-mail.

He wants to save Africa, and never gives a thought about his own people is letting down doing it.

Who are at the mercy of Orange, Vodafone, H3G, O2 etc for their and their childrens lives and health.

But I am sure Bob Geldof knows all about us, the resistance.

Elton John, probably needs the money.

He is all but bankrupt, but lets find his E-mail as well, and swamp him.

I will try to find their E-mail addresses, and if I do, I´ll put them here.

Best regards.

Agnes.

http://www.mast-victims.org

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Karen and Yasmin

Here are two e-mail addresses, for what its worth.

geldofinfo@msn.com

http://www.eltonjohn.com/contact.asp

Best regards.

Agnes.

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Hi Yasmin

I've thought for some time we need to have masts as the cover story for Schnews. For those of you who don't know Schnews is the biggest radical/activist newsletter in Britain. It comes out every Friday and they estimate it gets read by 40,000+ people.

They've done bits and bobs before but will rarely publish stuff unless there's an action involved. I suggest we or they (wait till after G8) do masts as the cover story and include Geldof, Elton John, Stephen Fry etc and use it to publicise a national demo. Down here in Brighton at least (mainly as a result of my labours) activists are starting to wake up to masts.

Schnews tel 01273 685913
http://www.schnews.org.uk/


Gary

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Yes,

But these are the “official sites e-mails”, so I am not sure how good they are.

These people are “Company Concerns”, not humans like the rest of us.

And notice how ready they always are to prostitute themselves for cash, and a lot of the time they call it “Doing good, for a good cause”.

Remember Cherie Blair in her Australia tour.

That was supposed to be for “A good cause and Charity” but the only ones who did not cash in were, guess who: The charity in question. (Cherie Blair raked in the money).

But its worth the try.


Best regards.

Agnes.

http://www.mast-victims.org

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Yes, this is the way the world works, and we won't stop it. We won't change it, except by backing the research that proves the harm, fighting the false interpretations and by publicising it continually.

David Bellamy backed industry on climate change, then found it was too late to back down when two environment charities ditched him this week.

Information, not indignation.

Andy

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Karen

It's schnews@brighton.co.uk - make sure you spell schnews with an "n".

I still think we should see if we can do a cover story one week - schnews readers are ACTIVISTS - not leisure readers.

Best

Gary

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George Monbiot: Bards of the powerful:

Far from challenging the G8's role in Africa's poverty, Geldof and Bono are giving legitimacy to those responsible.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article9215.htm

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Coltan Mining: No Blood On My Mobile
http://omega.twoday.net/stories/781281/

Hexham Courant

Published on Friday, June 17th 2005

By LYNDSEY WRIGHT

CHAMPIONING a bid to block a phone mast being erected on top of Dontino’s nightclub has earned a pat on the back for a Hexham councillor.

Coun. Matty Donnelly was the driving force behind objections to Hutchison 3G UK Ltd’s application for an eight-metre communications mast.

The application was unanimously turned down by members of Tynedale Council’s development control committee at its meeting last month.

At last week’s meeting of Hexham Town Council, the Mayor of Hexham Coun. Barry Pickering, backed by Coun. Colin Moss, said: “I would like to congratulate Coun. Donnelly for all of his hard work on this one. Well done.”

http://mitglied.lycos.de/newsomega/news/orange_mast2.JPG

Thought you might like to see this picture - on the other hand, perhaps not!

David B

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David.

No way! Not us!

We have tried it and we are grown ups, and it almost killed us.

We had a 3G mast 28 meters from our bedroom and in the end had to abandon our home due to illness, and find somewhere else to live.

Our attic was converted into a lovely big play and sleep area for our grandchildren to have as their own when on weekend visits.

No more grandchildren weekends.

No more B….. life, not even now.

Now 1½ years later we are still fighting the ill effects of the radiating pollution, some symptoms have gone.

But a lot of illness has stayed behind with us, and will probably never leave from now on.

Before we were never poorly, now we are sick a lot, and have been ever since.

So, 2 choses, take down the mast, or move your children away from it.


Best regards.

Agnes Ingvarsdottir.

http://www.mast-victims.org

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David,

It looks so innocuous, but I know how vicious Orange masts are because that is what is 14 metres from residents homes in Kensworth. Our mast is slightly different, because it's disguised as a street light.

Commiserations and Regards,
Gill Lyden

Protesters of a mobile phone mast being put up on land near a rugby club will stage an all night vigil after rumours work would begin early on Saturday.

BBC News Website 18 June 05

Demonstrators have already erected a shed at the entrance to the site next to Talywain Rugby Club in Pontypool.

They plan to man the protest line throughout Friday night after hearing work on the Vodafone mast would begin.

Vodafone said it had legal permission to build on the site but could give no assurances when work would start.

Residents are objecting to the mast on health grounds and have said that they are seeking a judicial review over the plans.

Cath Gullick, who represents the protesters, said they wanted all of the issues to be discussed before any work was carried out on the site.

"There are a number of issues which we want to see resolved before any work begins," she said.

"We are concerned about several things including the health issues of putting a mast on a site which is close to residential properties.

"We just want these matters sorted out before any preparatory work takes place."

She said that since the first protest on 6 June where residents prevented contractors from entering the site of the planned mast, they have maintained a continued presence at the site.

She added that following rumours that contractors would attempt to begin work early Saturday morning, an all night vigil would be held at the site.

Ms Gullick said: "We are going to keep a close eye on things and if any lorries make their way here, all we have to do if phone everyone and there will be a crowd within minutes.

"There is such strong feeling about this whole matter."

Opinion split

Vodafone said it had planning permission from Torfaen council to erect the 15m mast at the site and to provide a service for the local people who use mobile phones.

A spokeswoman said that the start time of the work was dependent upon the contractors.

People in a number of areas across the UK have complained about masts amid concern over possible health risks.

Last month the UK government announced new research into their location, as well as mobile phone technology.

Scientific opinion is split, and the National Radiological Protection Board has urged more research into masts.

Torfaen planners have approved Vodafone's proposals for the 15m mast.

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Scientific opinion is split?! Hey, that's a whole lot better than 40 years of research proving they're harmless, dating back to before masts existed!!!

Andy

Exeter Express and Echo 17.06.05

City leaders are to try to block a bid to install more mobile phone equipment on Exeter 's biggest block of council flats.

Telecommunications giant O2 is applying for permission to expand its range of equipment on top of Rennes House in Whipton.

The roof at the city council-managed 10-storey-high block is already home to several mobile phone antennas and is close to Whipton Barton First and Middle Schools.

O2 and another operator have had leases with the city council for their existing equipment since 1997.

But city council leader Roy Slack says health fears expressed by Rennes House residents must be taken into account. He is recommending fellow members of the authority’s executive committee refuse O2’s bid when they meet next Tuesday.

He said: “When mobile phones first appeared, people were quite relaxed about the equipment that was needed to make these phones work.

“Now people are much more cautious and we think that the operators should think very carefully before installing equipment in very sensitive locations.

“I am concerned for the residents of Rennes House who already have a lot of equipment on the roof.

“Although there is no evidence of any significant health harm, we want to allay their fears by putting a stop to further growth in the amount of equipment installed.”

The Echo’s Shock Waves campaign has been calling for an independent investigation into concerns over the potential health risks of emissions from mobile phone masts. It was launched in 2002 after the discovery of a cluster of four cancer cases near a mast in Crediton owned by communications company Orange, which claims its mast is safe.

Exeter City Council has refused planning permission for mobile phone masts before, citing local health fears, but has lost on appeal. Government planning guidelines say health fears cannot be used as grounds for objection if the masts emit at lower-than-recognised international guidelines.

However, in the case of Rennes House, the city council would be acting in its capacity as the leaseholder and not the local planning authority.

Pensioner Barbara Escott, who has lived in Rennes House for 28 years, said: “We don’t need any more of this equipment on the roof.

“We used to have our washing lines on the roof. Now you can’t go up there and it is full of this stuff.

“We don’t know how it is affecting our health now so I don’t want any more of it.”

Terry Millan, a Rennes House resident of 24 years, added: “I would like to see all of the equipment up there taken away now. A lot of people complain of being ill around here. You do wonder if it is to do with the mast.

“I would welcome any attempt by the council to stop more equipment being put up there.”

Epping Forest Guardian 17.06.05

By Owen Morris

A PROPOSAL to build a 20ft tall mobile phone mast just metres from a primary school has prompted outcry from parents and teachers.

Mobile phone company 3 is consulting on plans to construct the tower and base station on the west side of Harpenden Train Station's car park just a short distance from St Dominic's School and its 250 pupils.

3 has already asked Sir John Lawes School , Elliswick Lawn Tennis Club, Harpenden Hospital , and a number of other addresses in the town if they would be willing to house the mast but each has refused.

St Dominic's headteacher Mr Andrew Rafferty said: "Parents, governors and myself are truly concerned about this.

"The phone company are saying the mast will be 100 metres from the school, but it will only be 30 metres from our playing fields.

"Even if there is a slight fear of health risks to children companies should not be able to take risks by erecting masts near schools until the argument has been proved one way or another.

"We are going to aim to do everything we can to stop this going through."

The 2000 Stewart Report recommended that mobile phone masts should not be placed anywhere near schools, hospitals or residential areas.

Although the report also stressed that while some studies concluded radiation from the masts could be harmful there was no conclusive evidence.

St Albans district councillor Julian Daly has three children at St Dominic's and is also ward councillor for Harpenden West.

He said: "The Stewart report indicated that companies should be cautious about placing phone masts anywhere near schools and yet this application is still being considered by three.

"Understandably many people are worried because we do not know what the implications might be."

Ironically, the land the mast is to be built on used to belong to the school, but was bought by Network Rail to build the car park.

A spokesman for Network Rail who must agree before the mast can be built said: "Our only role is to ensure that equipment on our sites do not interfere with the running of the railway.

"Planning decisions are the responsibility of the local authority."

A spokesman for 3 said there is no specific legislation preventing a mast being put near schools and the company is fully consulting with interested parties before an application would be submitted.

Farnham Today 17.06.05

SURREY county councillor David Munro has joined the fight to stop mobile telephone operator Orange erecting masts in Farnham. Mr Munro, the county councillor for south Farnham, has written to Orange stating his concerns about the possible erection of masts at the Bourne crossroads and at a site in Manor Gardens on the A287. He has pledged his support for residents’ groups campaigning against Orange and for Jeremy Hunt, MP for south west Surrey , who has urged Orange to reconsider the possible siting of a mast near The Bourne Infant School. Mr Munro said: “These proposals are appalling and must be resisted both on environmental and perceived health grounds. There is no justification for putting these masts in such a prominent position where they will blight the landscape and make many people, especially those with young children, genuinely fearful of the hazards to health. “ Orange must not prolong the deep worries that they are putting residents through and must withdraw the proposals straightway. I have written to the company urging them to listen to the protests of residents and our MP, Jeremy Hunt, and think again without delay,” he added. Niki Hearnshaw, campaign co-ordinator for the Bourne school mast action group, is anxious about the length of time Orange are taking to decide about the fate of the proposed mast at The Bourne Infant School. “We were given a promise by Orange in a meeting on May 31 that a decision would be made in two weeks. Since then I have been made aware of a public statement by Orange saying that it may take six to eight weeks,” she said. Residents campaigning against the possible erection of a 40-ft mast at the Manor Gardens site have fiercely criticised Orange . In a survey by the Manor Gardens mast action campaign group, the vast majority of local residents believe that this issue is “a public relations disaster for Orange that does them no credit”, while most residents “would actively avoid Orange and urge all their friends to do the same”. Joint campaign co-ordinator Ray Cuckow, said: “We publicly call on Orange to drop the environmentally damaging Manor Gardens proposal. This mast fails to meet Orange ’s published standards of corporate and social responsibility. It would be a very serious loss of amenity, not just for us but also for the whole community.” Orange has responded to the concerns by stating that the decision-making process about the siting of masts is still ongoing and every effort was being made to resolve this as quickly as possible.

Knaresborough Today

OUTRAGED residents say they are appalled at a decision announced yesterday which will allow the installation of a mobile phone transmitter just yards from three Harrogate schools.

Protesters who fought tooth and nail to stop the 85ft T-Mobile mast being built say they have been let down and ignored after High Court approval was upheld by the national Planning Inspectorate.

Campaigner, Paula Brooks, said she couldn’t believe the company was prepared to gamble on the health of young children.

“I’m devastated,” she said. ”The people in a community are not listened to.”

Cabinet Member for Planning, Coun Richard Cooper said: “The Planning Inspector has let down Harrogate Borough Council by not supporting our decision to refuse planning permission. He has also has let down residents living nearby and children at the schools. I have asked Council Officers to see if there is any other way in which we can fight this proposal as the landowner.”

l Full update next Friday.

17 June 2005

Kenilworth Today 17.06.05

Prominent builders merchants Buildbase have pulled out of controversial plans to install a mobile phone mast after strong opposition from neighbours.

Managers performed a dramatic U-turn on negotiations with O2, as residents prepared to hold a demonstration outside Buildbase on Wednesday.

The Priory Road site is classed as industrial land but lies within a densely populated area, and is between Thorns Infant School and the Bertie Road nursery.

Residents were furious about the possibility of being subjected to the mast's radiation because of its perceived health risks and had considering organising boycotts and further demonstrations.

Stephanie Bennett, of Farmer Ward Road , said: "They told us at the 11th hour but nothing is definite and we all want it in black and white. They said they had been given so much hassle from people going in and complaining that they decided to pull out. Hopefully they will be true to their word.

"We are all concerned about the health scares - nobody will know for another generation how the air waves can affect people."

Buildbase manager Simon Davies said: "It was never our intention to cause any distress to the residents of Kenilworth . Seeing the level of upset it was causing we decided to withdraw.

"This is the most supportive company I have ever worked for - we sponsor many local teams and events. We want to work with local people and will continue to do what we can around the local area."

Mr Davies added that the plans submitted by O2 differed to negotiations between the two companies.

Neighbours will wait for official confirmation of the pull out before ending their protests.

Lee Woolman, of Farmer Ward Road , had said: "Residents are talking about civil disruption and taking matters into their own hands - we are very upset about this. It is smack bang in the middle of a residential area and there are obvious health implications."

Neighbour Anthony Whitmore wrote in a letter to the Weekly News: "As the objection campaign gathers momentum, direct action has not been ruled out by local residents."

Residents were also annoyed about a minimal public consultation. Most only heard of 02's plans for the 15-metre high mast on Monday after they were submitted to Warwick District Council because only residents bordering Buildbase were consulted.

Many of those in Lockhart Close and Alexandra Court are tenants, and it is unclear whether letters sent there had reached landlords.

It was the third mobile phone mast plan in a month, following two applications from Vodafone for the corner of Beehive Hill and behind Oaks Precinct.

02 will now have to look elsewhere. But spokesperson Angela Johnson said: "There is no evidence of any risk to health from these low radiation radio frequency emissions - they are much lower than a mobile phone itself.

"We are very limited to where we can put the cell sites to fit in with the rest of the cells in our network. We are in a very difficult situation that everyone wants to use a mobile phone but no one wants a mast near where they live."

17 June 2005