Stunell Speaks Out for Planning Controls on Mobile Phone Masts

4.59.55pm GMT Mon 21st Mar 2005

Hazel Grove MP, Andrew Stunell, fought in Parliament for tighter planning controls for mobile phone masts with the Second Reading of his Private Members Bill.

Meanwhile, residents in Romiley gathered to protest about a mobile phone mast that is planned for a site on Stockport Road.

Voicing the concerns of scores of people in Hazel Grove and across the country, Andrew Stunell told Parliament:

"If I wanted to put up a garage or a conservatory, I would need more permissions than if I wanted to put up a telecommunications mast. 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.

"One of the Bill's provisions gives the opportunity to assess whether a mast in a certain location presents specific health risks—for example, to schools or health facilities.

"A local health certificate would have to be given to a mast, and it would have to be produced if that mast were radiating towards a school, a health clinic or a home."

The debating carried on until the end of the Parliamentary day, so will be continued on the 22nd April 2005.

Notes to Editors

1) The full debate can be found in Hansard, 18th March 2005, columns 567 - 571, link:

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200405/cmhansrd/cm050318/debtext/50318-19.htm#50318-19_head0