In February 205, North East Fife Council Environment and Development Committee, Cupar, approved an application by Orange PCS for a 13 metre mobile phone (2G) mast at Peacehill Farm, by Wormit, Newport-on-Tay. There had been local objection and in view of continuing health concern in North Fife over 'Tetra' technology, arising from a previous network and experiences of Airwave in England and Wales, the councillors added a condition that there should be no addition of 'Tetra system' equipment at the Peacehill site.

Orange were happy to get their grant and did not seek to contest this. Their installation work is pending.

However, news of this exclusion affecting Tetra has reached Airwave (O2), owners of the high cost privatised emergency services and military radio network, which employs Tetra protocol.

Airwave O2 have at 5 May 05 lodged a new application to the Council, via the same agent, Pentland Chartered Surveyors, seeking to have the Councillors ' "no Tetra" condition removed from the planning approval, although they include no specific application for a Tetra addition, - yet.

Could this be a case of injured feelings from Airwave? Rather unlikely, since they have demonstrated a near total impermeability to community concern and feelings throughout the UK in locating their masts conspicuously inappropriately in residential areas and near sensitive premises, such as schools and hospitals and dismiss the increasing instances of serious ill-effects.

Perhaps they do have additions in mind. As part of Chancellor Gordon Brown's bumper auction of frequencies for 3G mobile phone licences, the police's current uhf frequencies were included and once freed off, by migration to Airwave, they will be available to Operators for more Tetra sites to support private and commercial operation. Such new cash opportunities will be irresistible, especially where they can be integrated with existing sites.

In more basic terms Airwave O2 do n't want any Council Development Committee acting in the interest of communities and pro-actively blocking them out. They certainly don't want to let Fife Councillors create such a dangerous precedent, which might sensibly be followed
elsewhere.

Local people who have appreciated the effort made by North East Fife Councillors, now require to act swiftly again to object to Airwave O2's application to undo their protection. The new Planning Reference is - 05 / 01461 / full.

Arthur Jarrett

11:00 - 20 May 2005

The latest phone mast horror story in the national newspapers, about the infamous "Tower of Terror" in Merseyside, again proves the potentially catastrophic consequences of living near a phone mast. Following the siting of three masts on flats in Merseyside, seven cancer deaths and four strokes occurred among residents in the past 18 months.

Yet Mr Dolan, representing the mobile phone operators, still attempts to mask the adverse health effects of living in the vicinity of phone masts (Bath Chronicle May 16/17).

The Government's Stewart and National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) reports, which he incorrectly claims exonerates the phone industry, in fact prove the opposite eg: "There remain particular concerns in the UK about the impact of base stations on health."

Even Dr Jill Meara, the deputy director of the NRPB which advises the Government on phone safety, said: "There are real symptoms out there".

After irresponsibly siting masts next to schools, hospitals and housing (because it's cheaper) Mr Dolan has the audacity to claim that phone operators have implemented the "precautionary advice" contained in the Government's Stewart Report.

Wrong again Mr Dolan.

Dr Gibson MP, who chairs the Commons Science and Technology Committee, disagrees. He recently mocked claims by Government that it has been following Sir William Stewart's report "precautionary principle". He said: "Bill (Stewart) has said the precautionary principle has not been used when I have questioned him".

The international guidelines, frequently trumpeted by the phone industry, are set 9,000 times too high. They were introduced in the technology's infancy, after subjecting animals to 20 minutes of electro magnetic radiation and then pronouncing it safe to humans.

These guidelines are obsolete.

JOHN ELLIOTT
Badminton Road Mast Action Group
Westons Brake
Emersons Green

http://tinyurl.com/axtfz

Following the Inspector's decision to allow the Sidlesham appeal, I thought you might like to see this 'leader' in today's Chichester Observer:

So Much for Local Democracy

Ministers are fond of prattling on about local democracy and the power of the people - when it suits them to do so. But these noble sentiments are quickly forgotten when they conflict with the government's own financial and strategic interests.

Sidlesham residents - and council tax payers right across the Chichester District - today learn this hard lesson to their cost. A government inspector has allowed an appeal against the district council's refusal of planning permission for a new Tetra mast in Sidlesham. The Inspector also awarded costs against the council for refusing the mast plan in the first place. Ominously, this is the third appeal in a row relating to plans for Tetra masts in the Chichester district - and each one has been allowed.

Councillors were doing their duty when they took heed of the mass of local opposition to the Sidlesham scheme, to serious concerns about possible health risks and impact on the environment, and to scientific evidence produced by the campaigners. But all of this was cast aside by the inspector, an unelected official who chose to ignore both local people and their elected representatives.

Inspectors are supposed to be impartial, but the government has a huge stake in the communications industry and it is difficult to avoid the suspicion that the planning inspectorate is dancing to the government's tune.

Many residents will be wondering this week why they bother to turn out and vote councillors into office, if decisions reflecting strongly-held local views are so easily overturned by a government lackey.

Surely local people should decide what is best for the local area, not some remote frontman for the increasingly preposterous and sinister John Prescott.

Keith Newbery
Editor


At least it was nice to see it in print!

David

Fife Today

FRUSTRATED residents staged an impromptu protest over a mobile 'phone mast as workmen tried to put it back up.

The long-running saga at Formonthills Road took another twist on Thursday morning as engineers arrived to replace the device which had been taken away for repairs. It had been badly vandalised over a month ago and was due to go back up with security cameras attached last week.

But furious locals made their views known by attempting to stop work being carried out. They are angry at how O2 were able to gain original planning permission after what many claimed was "inadequate" consultation. And the group has vowed to continue their fight to remove it altogether. One of the protestors, Evelyn Allsopp, said local people had not been listened to throughout the affair. "We've been told that proper consultation took place and that is just not true - they are lying through their teeth," she commented. "The feeling of the residents is extremely strong and we feel let down and deceived by our so-called representatives." Local woman Wilna Roger, of nearby Cardean Way, added: "There is a potential health risk - it hasn't been proved either way. "Even if just one person is made ill by it, is that worth the risk?"

The Gazette also understands that one Cardean Way resident now spends most of her time in Edinburgh as she can't bear to live in her house, which is overshadowed by the mast. Another protestor fumed: "We think the council has failed in one of their primary duties and that is to protect the health and environment of the community."

The mast initially went up in January, 2004, angering people who felt it had been granted permission without warning. It then emerged O2 had breached planning regulations, but as the initial application had been approved, it was altered and re-sited in the correct location to agreed specifications.

After the recent vandalism, community members wrote to O2 officials offering them a chance to negotiate.

But Balgeddie and Collydean councillor Bill Kay, who is on the development committee, revealed that had fallen on deaf ears. "We were prepared to try and expedite a site for them and they point blankly refused to do anything," he said. "They didn't do any real, meaningful consultation, and I think the Scottish Executive is eventually going to have to sort this type of thing out."

The 15-metre mast was finally erected after police were called, and the protest went off peacefully.

No-one at O2 was available for comment.

18 May 2005

Wirrel and Birkenhead news

A MINISTER who allowed a Vodafone mast to be placed on top of his church now says his deal with the mobile phone giant was based on a trust that "appears to have been misplaced".

Residents were alarmed that the mast, which has a cross design on top, could be used to download pornographic images.

They also complained that the mast - fitted onto St Andrew's Church in Rowson Street, New Brighton - looked out of place, could affect house prices and may be a health risk.

A meeting between The Reverend Ken Blake, Vodafone and local residents and councillors had been arranged for a date three weeks ago to discuss the complaints, but the phone firm pulled out at the last minute.

The mast was installed in March to provide connections for 3G mobile phones - delivering high-speed sound, image and video content from the internet along with normal speech and text services.

After the Globe reported on the row in our April 27 edition, Mr Blake wrote to us saying: "The cross itself is not a part of the mast and does not play a part in the transmissions.

"The cross is also a symbol of God's communication with the world. Communications are also, one might justifiably say, an indispensable feature of modern society."

But he added: "St Andrew's Church have proceeded with the installation of the mast on the basis of trust and good faith with the assurances of Vodafone that matters would be dealt with fairly and properly.

"It was a condition of the agreement that if there should be significant resistance from the local community then we would not proceed.

"Vodafone undertook to conduct a consultation prior to proceeding. We took them at their word. Sadly, that trust appears to have been misplaced."

He insisted that the church was not "simply sitting back hoping it will all go away" and was now actively working with residents to determine what course of action to follow.

"That depends at the moment on gathering some information and until we have that we cannot proceed further," he said.

However, Vodafone spokeswoman Jane Frapwell expressed surprise when told of Mr Blake's comments.

She said: "We do not proceed to install masts without the full permission of the landowner, in this case the church.

"We also carried out extensive consultation in the New Brighton area. I'm a little surprised by this but we will of course listen to what the church and local residents have to say."

Barnet and Potters Bar Times

What an interesting view of creation the Rev Laurence Hill of Holy Trinity Church, East Finchley, seems to have. (Baby owls in mast's way', May 12).

When stating that he would not comment on whether investigations will be undertaken into any potential nesting sites within the church, which could be disturbed by the mobile phone mast proposed for the belfry, he said, Birds are not allowed to nest in the church.' Is rain allowed to fall on the church during weddings, or the wind allowed to blow during services?

On a more serious note, a man of the cloth would surely wish such an investigation to be thoroughly carried out before the mast is approved, in order to protect any of the Lord's creatures from being destroyed by it.

We can only hope that the revenue deal entered into between the Archbishops' Council of the Church of England and QS4, the mast installer, will not get in the way of such Christian concerns.

Fiona Rosen
Pageant Avenue, Colindale

1:42pm Wednesday 18th May 2005

Baby owls in mast's way

Nesting birds, including a tawny owl, could scupper plans to install a mobile phone mast in the belfry of an East Finchley church.

The nocturnal guest is a familiar annual sight at the church, and has become a favourite with residents, who say it has been returning Holy Trinity Church, in Church Lane, to breed for the past five years.

A 3G phone mast is proposed for the belfry of the church spire, where residents say the owl is currently nestling with its young.

Clive Cohen, representative of the Barnet branch of the London Wildlife Trust said: "Owls breed much earlier than most birds, and it's this time of year that there will actually be young in their nests."

Members of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds who live in the area are now investigating the potential effect any disturbance could have on the owl. "Last year it flew past our window at 4am. We've heard it hooting and screeching for the past five years, and calling to a mate who hooted in response," said resident Caroline Broome of Church Lane.

"Last summer a sparrow hawk was resting on our pergola, and within a week, the owl had seen it off its territory it's quite a character."

In addition to the owl, tens of other species of bird are said to be nesting in or around the wooded enclaves of the church itself, including magpies, wood pigeons, blue tits, jays and, for the first time last year, robins.

However, the parish could find itself in hot water, should any of the nests be disturbed. Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, disturbing a nesting bird is illegal.

If this is the case, not only will the installation of the mast be illegal, but it is also likely to disturb the owl from ever returning to its nesting site.

Residents are currently lodging their complaints through consultations hosted by the parish and its mast installer, QS4, but are expected to write in with their objections before next Thursday. QS4 has been appointed by the Archbishops' Council of the Church of England as the sole installer of masts on its churches, with the church entering a revenue deal with the firm in return for hosting the mast.

Reverend Laurence Hill, of Holy Trinity Church, said he was not aware that any owl was nesting in or around the grounds of the church.

"It's news to me if there is an owl," he said. "And the builders who have already been up there have not seen a nest in the belfry. The bells are rung there once a week, so I'd be surprised if there was an owl there,"

He would not comment on whether an investigation would be undertaken on any potential nesting sites within the church which could be disturbed by the mast, although he did say birds are not allowed to nest in the church'.

Shropshire Star 18th May 05

A long-running fight to halt plans to install a mobile phone mast in the centre of Bridgnorth has finally been won by campaigners. Town councillors have voted to scrap the scheme.

Telecommunications giant O2 wanted to attach a mast to a floodlight at Bridgnorth Town Football Club's Crown Meadow ground, to the fury of nearby residents.

But the town council, which owns the land, last night refused permission for the mast, saying it was not allowed under the terms of the football club's lease.

Councillors voted unanimously at Bridgnorth Town Council's meeting to reject the plan. They said it had the potential to cause a nuisance or inconvenience to neighbours.

The application was refused by district planning chiefs last month after huge local opposition.

Glasgow Evening Times

18th May 2005

WORRIED parents campaigning against a giant phone mast have taken their fight to the doorstep of the club where it could be built.

Campaigners have put up a huge banner next to Riddrie Bowling Club which reads: "If you erect a mast you will harm the local kids." The club stands to make £3000 a year for 20 years for allowing the T-Mobile mast in its grounds.

But parents fear the mast, which could be up to 50ft high and will be just inches from the bottom of families' gardens and a play park, could make their children ill. Hundreds of residents have already signed a petition demanding Glasgow City Council block the plans.

Riddrie Bowling Club secretary Derek Timpany insisted the club wanted to do the right thing by the community and would be prepared to hold a public meeting to discuss the proposals. He said: "We are happy to meet with residents, councillors and T-Mobile to discuss the best way forward."

But many residents are determined to stop the plan. Mum-of-three Una Gillon, 47, said: "There are rules that say masts shouldn't be put near sensitive areas. "If they're not dangerous then why is that? And if they are dangerous how can they put them at the bottom of my garden where my children play? "There is an incredible amount of concern over this idea and we're not prepared to let it go ahead."

A spokesman for T-Mobile said: "T-Mobile understands there can be concerns within local communities when locating base stations, however with more than 60million mobile phones in the UK , there is a need to develop our network to provide quality service. "Based on more than 40 years of research, T-Mobile is confident its base stations, operating within strict national and international guidelines, do not present a health risk."

Sunderland Echo

FURIOUS residents are up in arms over plans to increase the use of a mobile phone mast on their doorsteps.

The imposing phone mast behind Beckenham Avenue, in East Boldon, has been the source of much controversy ever since the plans to build it were first mooted more than five years ago.
After much local opposition and a petition signed by nearly 100 people, South Tyneside Council refused planning permission to build the mast.

But a Government inspector overturned the decision, although several conditions were imposed, including the limitation of the amount of use of the mast.

However, in 2003, more dishes were added to the mast, indicating increased usage, and, to rub further salt in their wounds, residents received a letter last month saying yet more dishes are to be added to the mast.

Pensioner Gerry Ash, of Beckenham Avenue , said: "We have a lot of children living in our street and that is one of our main concerns. "Last year the Government released a report discouraging children under 10 from using mobile phones for health reasons. "So what about the children in our street living near a mast where mobile phone signals actually come from? "We will protest against these latest plans, but, to be honest, I think the local government have their hands tied by central government policy. "Well, enough is enough and we want them to stand up to the Government."

The villagers have the support of Couns David Potts and Donald Wood from the Cleadon and East Boldon ward. Coun Potts said: "We all want to use mobile telephones, but these masts do not belong in residential areas like East Boldon. "Local residents have suffered enough with the Metro line running right outside of their back gardens. "The council and the companies who erect these masts should be consulting further with local residents before going ahead and putting these things up." Coun Wood added: "Even now, no one really knows of the potential health risks posed by these masts. "Until further research has been conducted and a definitive answer known one way or another, these masts should be erected as far away from residential areas as possible."

The plans are at a consultation stage and residents have been given 21 days to voice their objections.

18 May 2005

May 18 2005

South Warwickshire

By Andrew Heath

Controversial plans for a phone mast in Kenilworth are to go before the planning inspectorate.

Phone company O2 has appealed against Warwick District Council's decision to refuse the plans for the mast at the junction of Crewe Lane and Glasshouse Lane.

Residents voiced concerns about the proposal, citing worries about health risks and the impact the mast may have on the "dangerous" junction.

They were backed by Kenil-worth Town Council, Cllr Dave Shilton and the Kenilworth Society.

Geoff Symes, clerk at the town council, said: "It is on the barrier between a residential area and the green belt.

"There is poor visibility on the junction and everyone who lives there knows that this has to be approached with great caution already."

Warwick District Council's planning committee turned down the application on the grounds the pole would be visually intrusive on an already dangerous junction.

But, despite another application for a mast a few hundred yards away, with no objections, O2 has appealed.

Cllr Shilton (Lib Dem, Kenilworth Park Hill) said: "It is a sad way of working.

"It gets the fears of residents up and I will continue to campaign against it."

Campaigners in Kenilworth are fighting other applications for masts at Birmingham Road, near Beehive Hill and on the junction of Waverley Road and Priory Road.

A spokeswoman for O2 said: "We urgently need a mast in the area for our 3G coverage.

"We are actually trying to cover all eventualities and if we get planning permission for the other one, we will withdraw the appeal against the initial application."