12/01/05 - Local Residents Should Decide On Mobile Phone Masts

Local Residents Should Decide On Mobile Phone Masts

Commenting on the findings of a new study into mobile phones by Professor Sir William Stewart, Chairman of the National Radiological Protection Board, Robert Buckland, South Swindon Conservative Parliamentary Candidate said: “Today’s independent  Stewart Report calls for a review of the planning process for base stations.  Under John Prescott, decisions on the location of mobile phone masts have been allowed to ride roughshod over local, environmental and safety concerns.  Conservatives have been calling for a change in planning rules which currently allow the location of poorly-sited mobile phone masts regardless of local opinion.” 

Cllr Justin Tomlinson, North Swindon Conservative Parliamentary Candidates added, “Conservatives are committed to plans where by all mobile phone masts would be required to have full planning permission, with health concerns being taken into account too.   We must address the feelings of powerlessness and frustration experienced by those living under the threat of badly sited masts. Local councillors, answerable to local residents via the ballot box, should have the final say on where these masts go."