Phone Mast Companies to Meet Local Critics

10.21.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 18th Oct 2004

Following a request from MP Vincent Cable to the leading phone companies and the council there is to be an open forum for the companies to present their forthcoming plans for new mobile phone masts. The National Radiological Protection Board will be there to give advice on health and safety aspects.

Vincent Cable said that he was "very pleased that the companies and the council have responded positively to my proposal. A lot of ill will is created by the residents' feeling that the companies are trying to smuggle through masts with minimal consultation. There will now be an opportunity to see the proposals well in advance and for local residents and their representatives to put forward alternatives. Given the current planning rules, the council cannot refuse masts on health grounds but where there is public concern this has to be taken into account and, hopefully, very sensitive sites can be avoided".

The meeting will be at 7.15pm on October 27th at York House.