Fight goes on for mobile phone mast controls

5.09.01pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 16th Jan 2007

This week in Westminster, Hazel Grove MP Andrew Stunell has continued his battle to bring mobile phone masts under strict planning control.

Mr Stunell presented a Parliamentary Motion to the Government demanding that they should bring in the 'precautionary principle' to mobile phone mast applications, giving extra safeguards for schools, homes, and medical facilities from the risk of excessive radiation.

Commenting on his latest challenge to the Government, Mr Stunell said:

"Under the current ridiculous rules, it is easier to get planning permission for a mast than it is for a porch. This is an alarming situation and needs to be addressed.

"The positioning of phone masts has upset many people across Stockport 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.

"I am asking the Government to change the law so that planning authorities can take account of health concerns, and to require the industry to produce more evidence about the radiation emitted." ENDS

Notes to Editors:

1. Mr Stunell's Parliamentary Motion states:

MOBILE PHONE MASTS

That this House recognises the high level of concern in many communities regarding the siting of telecommunication mast base stations; believes that the current planning system is not sufficiently robust and often prevents councils from acting in the best interests of local residents when considering their location; and calls on the Government to bring all telecommunication masts back under planning control and to allow local councils to have regard to health issues on a precautionary basis.

2. In 2005 Mr Stunell presented a Bill to Parliament to introduce tighter planning controls for masts, which was opposed by the Government.