Residents urged to write in to stop Phone Mast

Liberal Democrats in Burbage are urging residents to take part in a consultation about a planned phone mast.

Vodaphone want to install a Phone Mast on Rugby Road in Burbage and are currently consulting with residents and local councillors.

Liberal Democrat Councillor Adrian Smith has already responded to the consultation saying that the site is totally inappropriate.

Cllr Stuart Bray said "The Government's Stewart Report into mobile phone masts recommended that masts should not be sited near schools, elderly persons homes or hospitals.

"The proposed site is in the middle of a residential area and not far from local schools and nursing homes. It will also be a terrible eyesore for everyone living in the local area.

Michael Mullaney Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Spokesman for Bosworth said

"Communities can sometimes be powerless to stop inappropriately sited phone masts going ahead because the planning system has fewer restrictions on them than for many other planning applications.

"Liberal Democrats in Parliament last year moved an amendment to the Planning Bill which would have meant applications for phone masts would have required full planning permission and therefore be considered in the same way as applications for new buildings or change of use of existing ones.

"But Labour MPs voted against the call and Conservative MPs including Hinckley and Bosworth's MP David Tredinnick did not bother voting at all."

Residents who are concerned about the plans should write to; George Oliver, Patrick Farfan Associates, Carrington Business Park, Carrington, Manchester M31 4DD or go to

www.patrickfarfan.com/contactus/contactus.htm for details on how to respond online.