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Fury over phone mast by school
RESIDENTS have united to oppose a plan to put a 40 ft high phone mast just yards from a primary school.
Phone company Orange plans to build the antenna at the junction of Foxes Piece and Little Marlow Road.
The site is around the corner from Foxes Piece Combined School, which has a nursery, and Brooke Furmston Place, which provides sheltered accommodation for elderly people.
Residents have raised their objections with Wycombe District Council, which can force the company to submit a planning application.
They fear radiation from the "eyesore" mast could pose health risks.
However, an independent report commissioned by the Government in 2000 found radiation from phone masts, or base stations, was not dangerous.
The Stewart Report said "the balance of evidence indicates that there is no general risk" to health.
Radiation from the masts was a small fraction of the acceptable limit, it said.
Yet it warned further research may uncover health risks - and sites should therefore be chosen carefuly.
Charles Horth, 67, a consultant in the pharmaceutical industry for more than 40 years, said: "The tobacco companies said, smoking isn't bad for you, people have been smoking for years'."
Mr Horth, who lives in Maple Rise, less than 40 metres from the proposed site, said:
"It was only later that people started saying that smoking is a cause of cancer.
"Stewart is saying that we need to take a precautionary approach."
He said: "Orange wants to plonk it in a busy location near to a petrol station and a school and expect the community to say, thank you very much Orange, we're going to get good use out of this'."
Paul Lynch, of Foxes Piece, said parents "need to have peace of mind that their children are safe".
Carolyn Margetson, of Lower Road, Cookham, said: "I have grave concerns regarding the proposal as this is a residental area."
As the proposed mast is less than 45ft (15m) tall Orange does not have to apply to the district council for planning permission.
The authority can, however, force the developer to submit a planning application, which it can then accept or refuse.
Martin Grey, spokesman for Orange, said 30 "independent expert reviews" had found "no adverse health effects".
"Ofcom has undertaken more than 500 independent audits of base stations across the length and breadth of the UK.
"The measurements from these independent audits show emissions levels from base stations are typically small fractions of the international guidelines.
"The location balances the requirement to maintain local network coverage with respect for amenity, and our application follows extensive consultation with Wycombe District Council."
2:02pm Thursday 24th July 2008
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CommentPosted by: Welwyn Dowd, Wycombe on 2:09pm Thu 24 Jul 08
[quote]Charles Horth, 67, a consultant in the pharmaceutical industry for more than 40 years[/quote]
Was he one of the consultants that approved Thalidomide as safe for use?
Charles Horth, 67, a consultant in the pharmaceutical industry for more than 40 years
Was he one of the consultants that approved Thalidomide as safe for use?
Posted by: stewj, Loudwater on 4:14pm Thu 24 Jul 08
so decent reception for once about time
so decent reception for once about time
Posted by: R of Wycombe, High Wycombe on 4:15pm Thu 24 Jul 08
Rather interesting that this has been published today
http://news.bbc.co.u
k/1/hi/health/752310
9.stm
Rather interesting that this has been published today
http://news.bbc.co.u
k/1/hi/health/752310
9.stm
Posted by: Kadoogan, Wycombe on 4:40pm Thu 24 Jul 08
Even assuming you can get cancer from a mobile phone signal (so far totally unproven), it's a good thing that the mast will be close. I suspect most of the kids have mobile phones. If they are on Orange their phones will be working at a much reduced power due to the proximity of the mast, so their heads will be absorbing less 'mobile death rays'. I suspect the people whining about this have never bothered to actually look at the science behind how the signals actually work.
Even assuming you can get cancer from a mobile phone signal (so far totally unproven), it's a good thing that the mast will be close. I suspect most of the kids have mobile phones. If they are on Orange their phones will be working at a much reduced power due to the proximity of the mast, so their heads will be absorbing less 'mobile death rays'. I suspect the people whining about this have never bothered to actually look at the science behind how the signals actually work.
Posted by: Blueberry, S Bucks on 9:59am Fri 25 Jul 08
I suspect the "fury" is only from [bold]some[/bold] residents - and I wonder how many of them have mobiles, for which they want a signal?
This is just a mast they know about and that can't be stopped as it doesn't require planning. There are ltos of other hidden ones.
And if they're so worried about such things, what about their neighbours wi-fi? No permission required for that, and no escape either.
I suspect the "fury" is only from
some residents - and I wonder how many of them have mobiles, for which they want a signal?
This is just a mast they know about and that can't be stopped as it doesn't require planning. There are ltos of other hidden ones.
And if they're so worried about such things, what about their neighbours wi-fi? No permission required for that, and no escape either.
Posted by: Blueberry, S Bucks on 10:00am Fri 25 Jul 08
Apologies for typos above!
Apologies for typos above!
Posted by: johnson1978, stevenage on 2:08am Tue 29 Jul 08
Blueberry, you are absolutely right, we need to get some kind of protection against our neigbours polluting our own homes with all types of wireless equipment.
The truth though, is that it is indeed here where the first litigation will take place. The law in this country appears to be such that it is the home and business owners who allow (masts, for example) to be on their property, who will be liable. Not the big companies. It does seem sad but I'm sure you will agree this will lead to the escape you wish for.
Also you are spot on about all the masts that people can't see. It is probably this fact (and also that most public wi-fi networks and masts are tested for a few weeks before the publicised 'going live' date) that stops the majority of the public realising what is making them ill.
I sympathise with all your negativity on this, we have all been there, but there is hope that the ignorant will soon be able to understand.
I hope this helps
Blueberry, you are absolutely right, we need to get some kind of protection against our neigbours polluting our own homes with all types of wireless equipment.
The truth though, is that it is indeed here where the first litigation will take place. The law in this country appears to be such that it is the home and business owners who allow (masts, for example) to be on their property, who will be liable. Not the big companies. It does seem sad but I'm sure you will agree this will lead to the escape you wish for.
Also you are spot on about all the masts that people can't see. It is probably this fact (and also that most public wi-fi networks and masts are tested for a few weeks before the publicised 'going live' date) that stops the majority of the public realising what is making them ill.
I sympathise with all your negativity on this, we have all been there, but there is hope that the ignorant will soon be able to understand.
I hope this helps
Posted by: Kadoogan, Wycombe on 4:24pm Wed 30 Jul 08
johnson1978
Before branding those of us that don't froth at the mouth about this as ignorant, how about proving there is any danger from mobile phone and other wireless signals?
There is an infamous case where a mast was built and people in the surrounding area over the next 6 months complained it was making them ill. It then transpired that the mast had never been switched on. Quit reading the hysterical tabloid nonsense that is only there to sell newspapers and actually read up on the technology.
johnson1978
Before branding those of us that don't froth at the mouth about this as ignorant, how about proving there is any danger from mobile phone and other wireless signals?
There is an infamous case where a mast was built and people in the surrounding area over the next 6 months complained it was making them ill. It then transpired that the mast had never been switched on. Quit reading the hysterical tabloid nonsense that is only there to sell newspapers and actually read up on the technology.
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