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Residents' campaign to stop phone masts
United Kingdom Created: 13 Apr 2009
CAMPAIGNING residents are urging people to object against plans for two mobile phone masts in a South Tyneside village.
Communications giant Vodafone plans to build the masts on two sites in Boldon – one in Western Terrace, West Boldon, and one on the Hutton Street Industrial Estate, Boldon Colliery.

People have only until Wednesday to object against the plans in Hutton Street, and until next Friday to object against the Western Terrace proposals.

Nearby residents to both sites have now formed the 'Boldon Against The Masts' group to fight against the projects.

Mum-of-two Victoria Elphstone said she's "extremely worried" about the health risks.

The 34-year-old, who lives with husband Paul, also 34, and their two children Eve, three, and Jude, five, in Front Street, East Boldon, said: "We want to inform people around the area about the plans, and we want to get as many people objecting as we can.

"Everyone who I've contacted so far has been horrified, and we don't think that Vodafone or the council are considering the health issues.

"I've done a lot of research on mobile phone masts, and most of it shows that they have adverse health effects."

On Wednesday, the European Parliament issued a report saying mobile phone masts and other electromagnetic emitting devices should be set within a specific distance from schools and health institutions.

MEPs called for stricter regulation and protection for residents and consumers due to the "continuing uncertainties about possible health risks". Mrs Elphstone added: "The European Parliament has warned of the dangers, but the British Government is ignoring these warnings. They're not taking it seriously enough."

The Hutton Street mast will be about 15m high, and the Western Street mast will be about 14m high.

Ward councillor Jeff Milburn said that residents have expressed concerns about the consultation process.

He said: "One of the residents' main concerns is that they have not had a long and thorough enough consultation period, and I will talk to the council about this.

"I've spoken to some residents who live very close to where the masts will be, and they say they have never even heard about the plans."

A council spokesman said: "We have received an application for telecommunications masts at Hutton Street and Western Terrace in Boldon. We are in the process of consulting residents, and all details are available for inspection on the council's website.

"The Council has notified local residents in accordance with statutory and local guidance. All responses received during this consultation process will be taken into account before any decision on the application is made."

Vodafone did not wish to comment.

To contact Boldon Against The Masts, call 536 9630, or e-mail radiationfree {-at-} live.co.uk.
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Source: Shields Gazette, Andy Hughes, 10 Apr 2009

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