Phone mast plans spark health fears
ANGRY residents are mounting a campaign to fight plans for a phone mast because they are worried about the health implications.
Vodafone has applied to Stoke-on-Trent City Council for permission to build a 32ft high pole with a base station in Harpfield Road, Penkhull.
If approved, it would be sited on the pavement next to a cycle path and shielded by trees. The mast will be 114 feet (35 metres) from homes in Wain Drive and 164 feet (50 metres) from houses in Algar Road, but residents say that is too close.
Full-time carer, Frederick Foster, aged 50 from Wain Drive, said: "There are a lot of people in this area who are angry about the application.
"I don't think we need a mast here. It will look bad and we are all worried about the health effects. I am also worried about the mast interfering with my television signals."
Grandmother-of-two, Dorris Emley, aged 85, from Harpfield Road, said: "The mast is supposed to be going near my house and, instead of me justifying why I don't want it, the phone company should have to justify why they need it here.
"I have lots of different health problems and I'm not sure what sort of effect this will have on me. Nobody seems to really know. It will be obtrusive and it should go somewhere else."
Woodvale Convenience Store manager, Mukesh Kumar, aged 54, pictured below, said: "This is a highly residential area and there are two schools nearby. The residents asked me to gather a petition objecting to the plans and we have got more than 100 signatures.
"This is a close-knit community and nobody wants a phone mast on their doorsteps. There are health concerns about it because nobody is sure about the long term effects of these masts."
Vodafone considered three other sites, two mast share possibilities in Clayton Road and a plot next to the A34, but the land was considered to be too low to give the coverage required.
Vodafone spokesman, Keith Johnson, from Mono Consultants, said: "We have reviewed our network development proposals in this area and have evaluated suitable site shares, existing structures and buildings. The site of this planning application is identified as the most suitable option that balances operational need with local planning policies."
A decision is expected to be made by the end of this month.
2 Comments
by Andrew Woodvine, Talke Pits
Friday, June 05 2009, 5:28PM
“The quote from Frederick Foster's amused me. I've not heard of opposition to a mobile phone mast on the basis that it may interfere with TV signals before!
You've got nothing to worry about Frederick, your TV doesn't operate on the same frequency as a mobile phone.
As for your health fears, just wear a tin hat ;-)”
by JD, Newcastle
Friday, June 05 2009, 9:48AM
“I get sick and tired of people complaining about these masts, yet the vast majority of them have mobile phones. Dont these people under stand how mobile phones work? NO MAST, NO SIGNAL!! and then they all complain to their providers that the service is poor. Realise this... the more gadgets you want on your phone and the faster you want it to connect to the internet or send pictures and the more people that have phones in one area, the more masts are needed. So complain all you like, but dont stand there with your phone in your hand or pocket while you do it!”