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FEARS OVER PHONE MAST SITE
United Kingdom Created: 27 Aug 2007
Residents in Corsham have said they fear plans to site communications equipment in Alexander Terrace will create a health hazard.Mobile phone giant T-Mobile wants to install a mast on the BT building in the street, which is surrounded by residential housing.

Despite four previous refusals a new planning application has been submitted and recommended for approval by council planners.

The plans also include the building of an equipment cabin in the conservation area.

But neighbouring residents are worried about possible radiation which may be generated by the equipment and they also say it will create an eyesore.

Richard Reeve, who lives in one of the properties closest to the proposed mast, said: "We are all extremely frustrated but we are limited in what we can put forward to the council because there is no real policy on the health issues.

"There would be an awful lot of transmission waves and the concern is that this mast is going to be as little as 12 metres away from people's windows.

"The safety of the residents of Alexander Terrace, Meriton Avenue and adjacent areas must not be dismissed in light of these issues purely to facilitate commercial gain."

Fifteen mast sites exist within Corsham and four of these are in nearby Valley Road.

Four years ago people living in Alexander Terrace and Meriton Avenue fought off proposals by Orange to erect two similar masts on top of the BT telephone exchange, just yards from their homes.

T-Mobile has said the mast is needed because the signal is weak in Corsham, and parts of the town cannot get coverage from the network.

Cllr Peter Davis (Con, Corsham) said: "The area is within the Pickwick conservation area.

"Unfortunately there are no proven health risks as to why it should not be allowed but it is in a heavily residential area.

"The only commercial building is the telephone exchange.

"If one company is allowed a mast what will happen with the many applications that are sure to follow.

"We will end up with a very high concentration of transmission in a very residential area.

"It is totally unacceptable and should be refused."

The application will be considered by North Wiltshire District Council's development control committee on Wednesday.
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Source: This Is Bath, 24 Aug 2007

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