Big demand for mobile phones means more masts will be needed

Calls for south east councils to be given greater control over mobile phone masts have been made.

Wealden Council in Sussex currently has 270 transceivers which transmit and receive the mobile phone signal.

It wants planning rules to be tightened and the Mobile Operators Association agrees more debate is needed.

Kent and East Sussex have at least 2,000 such base stations with another 500 now in the pipeline, according to one estimate.

'Not accountable'

Anti-mast campaigner Clive Newell said: "I think we all accept that mobile phone technology is a part of modern day life.

"But the point is that there is not enough known about the health risks and the masts seem to be proliferating all over the place."

Wealden councillor Jim Hollins is calling on the government to ensure phone companies have full planning permission before masts are put up.

UK MOBILE PHONE USE 79% of UK adults own or use a mobile phone 1997/98 - 9.1m mobile subscribers June 2004 - 55m mobile subscribers Source - Mobile Operators Association

Cllr Hollins said: "I don't think that the council has enough powers to ensure that the masts are built in the correct manner and the correct places and therefore, although we are perceived as being accountable, we are not accountable.

"We are not empowered to decide where these masts should be."

Stuart Eke, spokesman for the Mobile Operators Association, said there were frequent scientific reviews into the health implications of mobile phone masts.

"They've all come up with the same basic conclusions that base stations operating within international health and safety guidelines are not adversely affecting human health.

"The advice that's been given to the government is that people should take a precautionary approach if they're concerned about the possible health effects of the use of mobile phones, especially for young children."

Elliott blames a drop in orders for the redundancies

A mid Wales manufacturing company is to shed 70 more jobs within six months after almost halving its workforce.

Elliott Group, which makes portable equipment for the mobile phone industry is to cut staff numbers to 20 at its factory in Newtown, Powys.

In 2004, the factory employed 160 people and it now blames a shortage of medium and long-term orders for the decision to suspend production.

Union official Howard Wright said the news was a serious blow to Newtown.

The company said it wanted to resume work when orders picked up but there are fears that the factory may close permanently.

We're looking at a damage limitation exercise TGWU officer Howard Wright

Union TGWU is in talks with Elliott but the redundancies announced on Tuesday could be made by late April.

Most of the jobs which have been cut are understood to be in well-paid, skilled engineering work, building and equipping boxes used to operate mobile phone masts.

The 20 people who keep their jobs are expected to work mainly on the bonding part of the manufacturing process.

Mr Wright, of the Transport and General Workers' Union said: "The expression of the company was that they are mothballing the operation for future developing.

"We can only go on the fact they are mothballing and not closing.

"We are concerned they will want to take the whole of the operation, particularly the bonding section, to Peterborough.

"Newtown can ill-afford to lose these jobs which are real jobs, they're well-paid and jobs that have been there for some time," he added.

"We are concerned that, effectively, that's the end of Elliott in Newtown.

"We hope it's not, we hope they pick up, that they have some orders come through, but it's not looking good for the future.

"We're looking at a damage limitation exercise."

Elliott, which laid off 70 workers in October 2004, announced in January it had put the plant up for sale.

It opened in 1967 and the company employs more than 1,300 people in 38 factories throughout the UK.

The group from Muswell Hill claims the area already has 30 masts and the latest proposal would put another one within 400 metres of nurseries.

They will sing their version of Pink Floyd's hit Another Brick in the Wall, with the line: "Hey, Vodafone, leave our kids alone".

The mobile phone firm says the masts emit no more power than a light bulb.

Haringey Council gave permission for the plans last December after consultation with residents. Work to put up the antennae is due to finish by the end of April.

We object to our children being used as guinea pigs until there is clear evidence that these masts are safe Mother Sarah Purdy

The protest comes ahead of a bill due to get its second reading in the Commons this week, which aims to prevent mobile phone companies from putting up masts without consulting local communities.

Group spokeswoman Sarah Purdy said they had spent the weekend practising the song.

"It's not that were against mobiles but there's plenty of industrial and waste ground in the area where these masts could be built, rather than overshadowing two primary schools, a school for autistic children, and four nurseries," she said.

"We object to our children being used as guinea pigs until there is clear evidence that these masts are safe and the official reports back us up."

Residents' objections

A Vodafone spokeswoman said it did not matter whether the masts were one metre or 1,000 metres away from residents it was "all about power levels".

"We're talking about a power level of 150 watts which is a bit like a powerful light bulb," she said.

"It's important to note, no mobile phone masts, no mobile phones."

A spokeswoman from Haringey Council said: "The plan had been refused on appeal in 2002 and was recommended for approval this time because the antennae will be concealed by a chimney."

She said the council had received 15 objections against the plan.

Vodafone has been refused permission to erect the third generation (3G) mast on Liverpool Road in Kidsgrove.

Newcastle-under-Lyme Borough Council feared the structure would have a negative impact on the area. The town council also objected to the plans.

Vodafone says it has a duty to provide 3G coverage and will apply to put up the mast at the train station instead.

Cathy Warden discusses the campaign against the mobile mast

Furious residents in Brighton are campaigning against proposals to put up a mobile phone mast in a residential area 200m from a school.

The site at the junction of Pankhurst Avenue and Queens Park Road, is one of more than 12 being considered by T-Mobile for 3G video phone masts.

The company said its masts are safe but it has invited comments about the plans in line with codes of practice.

"Nobody knows what the long-term health effects are," said mother Cathy Warden.

Campaigners say radiation experts cannot guarantee the 3G masts, which operate at higher frequency than normal masts, are completely safe.

The residential area near St Luke's where the mast would be sited

"The fact that we are worried about it is detrimental to our daily lives," said Ms Warden, whose three children go to St Luke's School and who is helping to organise a protest petition.

T-Mobile does not have to apply for planning permission because the mast is less than 15m tall but it does have to obtain a form of permission called prior approval.

The company said it understood residents' concerns but its network's signal strength was similar to those in people's homes from TV and radio.

It said it needed the new masts to meet demand for mobile phones.

But campaigner Paul Bonnet said: "This government talks about neighbourhood renewal and consultation with communities but things seem to be happening without any consultation with local people.

Residents in Coleshill have been campaigning against the installation of the mast on top of the Coleshill Hotel in the town's High Street.

They are concerned about possible threats to their health from the mast.

3G has halted work following a meeting with local MP Mike O'Brien. It says the hotel is still the preferred option but it is looking at alternative sites.

Local resident Jackie Slater said: "They say they are considering looking at other sites and I hope that is true.

"I hope they don't come back in three months time and say they are going to stick it back up on the hotel. We want the whole contract to be cancelled."

But a spokesperson for 3G, Verity Stanford, says the company's decision to reconsider is not just a PR exercise.

Dr Nunn and husband Geoff had taken their case to the Appeal Court

A doctor who has fought for two years to have a mobile phone mast moved away from her home has lost her latest legal battle.

Judges at the Court of Appeal say they cannot remove a planning law barrier which prevents Dr Christine Nunn from addressing a local inquiry.

The doctor, who lives at Bardsey, near Leeds, and her neighbours object to a T-Mobile mast near their homes.

The mast was allowed because Leeds City Council bungled planning procedures.

'Poor reward'

The appeal judges have told Dr Nunn and her neighbours the only remedy open to them was to claim damages from Leeds City Council which lodged their notice of objection one day after the statutory 56-day period had elapsed.

Lord Justice Wall said she "may well feel this is poor reward for her altruism" in standing up for the interests of the local community and her family.

The doctor, and her neurosurgeon husband Geoff, moved into the Old Vicarage in the village because they believed the area "had no aggravating factors."

The GP is fighting to have a mobile phone mast removed

But a mast was built by T-Mobile just 130 yards from the family's home.

Dr Nunn and her neighbours tried to protest at a planning inquiry that, other than health implications, the mast would hit property values and impact on local amenities.

But the inquiry inspector, appointed by deputy prime minister John Prescott, said he had no power to hear their case because Leeds City Council had failed to lodge a notice of objection with T-Mobile within a statutory 56-day deadline.

The council lodged its notice one day late, believing it was still within the time limit.

The inspector ruled the phone company was deemed to have permission under planning laws and quashed an enforcement notice issued by the council requiring the mast to be removed.

Judges have refused permission to appeal to the House of Lords, although Dr Nunn could apply to the Law Lords for permission.

Workers fitting the 15-metre receiver on Bonney Road in New Parks have called in police because they claim they are being threatened by protestors.

The mast for O2 has already been approved by the city council.

Residents have started a petition against the mast, but say they have not intimidated workers.

They have been threatening the contractors by standing there saying there is no way they will allow this site to be built Angela Johnson, O2 spokeswoman

The mast is being built on a traffic island close to two schools.

Spokesperson for O2, Angela Johnson, said: "Our work has been disrupted by a small number of irresponsible people who have damaged our meter cabinet on three occasions by kicking it in and by intimidating our contractors.

"They have been threatening the contractors by standing there saying there is no way they will allow this site to be built."

Residents claim the first they heard about the 15-metre high structure was when construction started.

The city council say 11 houses, which overlook the site, were sent letters about the application for the mast in July and no objections were raised, although some residents have since complained to them.

Leicestershire Police said they were called to a disturbance at the site but no protestors were present when they arrived.

A 400-signature petition was handed to the council

Applications for three mobile phone masts in the centre of Bristol have been turned down.

According to the city council, T-Mobile had wanted to site masts in Stoke Hill; Cairns Road and near Henleaze Library.

T-Mobile says it is only aware of the last two applications, and that it is "disappointed" with the decision.

"We will review the options available to us and continue to work closely with the local authority to try and find a suitable solution," a spokesman said.

Some residents had protested against the plans, and said they were "delighted" with the council's decision.

The masts were turned down on the grounds they would have:

been visually intrusive - Stoke Hill

Dr Nunn and husband Geoff have taken their case to the Appeal Court

A GP fighting to have a phone mast near her house moved has told the Appeal Court that using a mobile triggers her migraine headaches.

Christine Nunn, 45, of Bardsey, Leeds, tries to avoid using her mobile "more than necessary", her counsel said.

Her lawyers are asking judges to rule that her European rights to an independent hearing have been breached.

The mast was allowed after Leeds City Council was one day late in dealing with objections to the scheme.

Fortunate

Counsel David Wolfe told the Court of Appeal in London that Dr Nunn and her family, who also suffer migraines, moved to the house because they believed it was in an area where there were "no aggravating factors".

"They considered themselves fortunate to find such a home."

But the mast was built close to the house and objections from Dr Nunn and other residents had so far failed to get it removed.

The GP is fighting to have a mobile phone mast removed

Mother-of-three Dr Nunn and her neighbours objected at a local inquiry that, health implications aside, the structure would reduce property values and have an adverse impact on local amenities.

But the inquiry inspector said he could not deal with their objections because the city council had failed to lodge a notice of objection with T-Mobile within a statutory 56-day deadline.

The council put in the notice a day late, believing it was still within the time limit.

The inspector ruled that T-Mobile was deemed to have permission under current planning legislation and quashed an enforcement notice issued by the council.

Last year that decision was upheld in the High Court.

T-Mobile says there is no substantial evidence to support the claims of health risks relating to emissions from mobile phone base stations.

It also says there is no evidence of "direct and serious interference with amenity."

The hearing is expected to last for two days.

The campaign against construction of the mast near Byron Avenue, Winchester, Hampshire, has been running for almost four years.

An objection against the 12m-high mast by the campaigners was rejected by the Court of Appeal in December.

But locals say they will now take the fight to the House of Lords in a final bid to block the mast.

During the hearing at the Court of Appeal, the judges said an inspector had concluded the risk to health was minimal from the Byron Avenue site and that the proposal was acceptable.

But campaigners say "health considerations and public concern should be taken into account" when mobile phone masts are erected.

The mobile industry says there is no proof phones harm health

Radio waves from mobile phones do harm body cells and damage DNA, a laboratory study has shown.

But the European Union-funded Reflex research did not prove such changes were a risk to human health.

The scientists behind the study, which has not been published in a journal, said more work was needed to see the actual effect of the phones on health.

But the UK National Radiological Protection Board said people should not be worried by the study's findings.

A spokesman said the study had not shown the biological changes led to disease.

He added that even research looking at the effects of radiowaves on cells and DNA did not consistently find evidence of damage.

This research is no reason for people to be worried Dr Zenon Sienkiewicz, National Radiological Protection Board,

Around 1.5 billion people around the world use mobile phones.

There is an ongoing debate over their safety, with fears over potential dangers linked to mobile phone masts and the handsets themselves.

But the UK government-commissioned Stewart report in 2000 concluded there was no evidence of harm associated with using mobile phones.

However, the report did recommend a precautionary approach and said children should only use mobile phones in emergencies.

The mobile phone industry maintains there is no scientific evidence of harmful effects from electromagnetic radiation.

'Precautions'

The four-year Reflex study, co-ordinated by the German research group Verum, studied the effects of radiation on animal and human cells in a laboratory.

They found that, after being exposed to electromagnetic fields, the cells showed a significant increase in DNA damage which could not always be repaired by the cell.

The results of this study are preliminary, not yet published or peer reviewed and require further replication by other groups Mobile Operators Association spokeswoman Q&A: Mobile phone safety

Damage was also seen in the next generation of cells. Mutated cells are seen as a possible cause of cancer.

The study, which has not been published in a journal, also reported other harmful effects on cells.

The radiation used in the study was at Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) levels of between 0.3 and 2 watts per kilogram.

The SAR is the rate at which the body absorbs emissions from the phone handset.

Most phones emit radio signals at SAR levels of between 0.5 and 1 W/kg.

Mobile phones cannot be sold to unless they fall within the SAR of 2 watts per kg.

Franz Adlkofer, who led the Reflex study, said people should use landlines, rather than mobiles, wherever possible.

He added: "We don't want to create a panic, but it is good to take precautions."

He said definitive research would take another four to five years.

Other studies have suggested mobile phone radiation may have some effect on the body, such as heating up body tissue and causing headaches and nausea, but no study that could be independently repeated has proved that radiation had permanent harmful effects.

'No conclusions possible'

Dr Zenon Sienkiewicz, principal scientific officer at the UK's National Radiological Protection Board, said: "This research is no reason for people to be worried.

"It is an interesting study, but its conclusions should not be over-emphasised."

He added: "The bottom line is that more research looking at whether mobile phones do have a measurable effect on health is needed."

A spokeswoman for the Mobile Operators Association said: "Independent scientific review bodies in the UK and around the world have consistently concluded that the weight of scientific evidence to date suggests that exposure to radiowaves from mobile phone handsets and base stations operating within international guidelines do not cause adverse health effects.

"The results of this study are preliminary, not yet published or peer-reviewed and require further replication by other groups."

She added: "It is not possible to draw conclusions from this preliminary data.

"The authors of this unpublished study acknowledge that this work will need to be repeated by independent laboratories."