Local MP supports mobile phone mast controls

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 23rd Apr 2007

Local MP Bob Russell is supporting a new Bill that aims to bring mobile phone masts under strict planning control and bring in the 'precautionary principle', giving extra safeguards for schools, homes, and medical facilities from the risk of excessive radiation.

The Bill has been presented to Parliament by Lib Dem Shadow Local Government Secretary Andrew Stunell and challenges the Government to change the law to give local communities more control over where telephone masts are sited.

Mr Russell said:

"The positioning of phone masts has upset many people in Colchester as masts have been put up close to schools, hospitals and residential areas. There are dozens of stories of people coming home from work to find a mast that they knew nothing about at the end of their garden.

"The last Conservative Government did a deal with the phone companies to cut planning controls for masts. Under the current ridiculous rules it is easier to get planning permission for a 15 metre mast than it is for a small conservatory.

"This Bill will allow planning authorities to take account of health concerns and will require the industry to produce more evidence about the radiation emitted, and to justify the need for each mast."