Bristol community to fight phone mast plan
Householders in Willsbridge are fighting plans for a phone mast to be sited in the grounds of a garden centre.
They said the 65ft (20 metre) mast was being proposed for land within the green belt and close to houses.
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Objectors are also worried about the possible health implications of having a mast so close to houses, a playing field and school.
The application has been drawn up by phone company Telefonica O2, which wants to site the mast at Jarretts Garden Centre on Bath Road.
Patrick Micheleat-Cox, 80, of Bath Road, said: "A lot of people are very worried about phone masts and whether they can affect people's health.
"We are not a big village and the mast being proposed is very high.
"It will be close to a number of houses and there is also a playing field nearby, as well as The Meadows Primary School.
"I have made my comments to South Gloucestershire Council but I know some people did not even receive notification about the plan."
Bitton Parish Council has also objected to the plan, which includes three antennae and an equipment cabinet.
It said councillors opposed the development because the site was in the green belt and no exceptional circumstances had been put forward to override policies aimed at protecting such areas.
But it also said that if permission was given, then conditions should be imposed to reduce the height and make the phone company disguise the mast so it would blend in with trees.
Wansdyke MP Dan Norris and Chris Skidmore, the prospective parliamentary candidate for the area, have both been approached by concerned residents.
Mr Skidmore said: "There is a lot of local opposition to the plans. I'll be setting up a petition campaigning to raise public awareness."
Among those contacting the council were people who said they had not been told of the plan, even though they lived close to the site. They said the mast would be an "ugly eyesore" and questioned whether it could be hidden by trees as it would take years for them to grow to the height of the pole.
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by J Elliott, Bristol
Monday, October 20 2008, 3:15PM
“From last weeks Independent on Sunday
Risk of Brain Cancer Five Fold
"Mobile phone use 'raises children's risk of brain cancer five fold. Alarming new research from Sweden on the effects of radiation raises fears that today's youngsters face an epidemic of the disease in later life"
See Powerwatch/Mast Sanity websites for a list of the independant research proving the dangers of this microwave radiation. Doubt if you'll bother though. As a non mobile user it is quite tragic to watch the general population addicted to their mobiles.
Not in anybodys back yard!”
by Steven, North Bristol
Monday, October 20 2008, 1:58PM
“So, how many people do you know who have a mobile 'phone and a brain tumour brought on as a direct result of the use of that mobile 'phone?
I don;t see people objecting about the "hidden" mobile masts which are everywhere (church spires, petrol station price advertisements, on top of evey tall building).
It's yet another groundless complaint from NIMBYs.”
by John, Bristol
Monday, October 20 2008, 1:17PM
“No I don't own a mobile phone. Why would I want to increase my risk of a brain tumour by 500%. Owning a mobile phone is a matter of personal choice. What choice do council tax payers have when a phone operator decides to dump a harmful microwave radiation emitting phone mast on their doorstep?
This is a time bomb which the telecoms industry is trying to obscure, just like the tobacco industry did. Phone masts should not be sited within 350 metres of schools or housing. Unless the public starts to stand up for ttheir own health, we will see a lot of deaths before the government and phone operators have to admit the damage this technology is causing. Many of us are minimising our use of mobile and cordless phones, and removing wifi and other wireless technology so as to reduce the risks, despite the inconvenience, because the health risks are so significant. Siting phone masts next to housing and schools is scandalous.”
by Jon, Bristol
Monday, October 20 2008, 10:02AM
“Not in my backyard...”
by Steven, North Bristol
Monday, October 20 2008, 9:26AM
“I assume J Elliott that you do not own a mobile telephone, do not make or receive calls from anyone else who has a mobile telephone and in no other way at all make use of the technology in your daily life.”