Lib Dem MP to take a lead in phone mast campaign

1.19.39pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 22nd Dec 2006

Solihull's Lib Dem MP Lorely Burt is to be the co-sponsor of a new parliamentary motion calling for greater local planning controls on the siting of base stations for mobile phone masts.

The Early Day Motion (EDM) entitled 'Mobile Phone Masts' will be registered in Westminster by Liberal Democrat MPs and calls on the Government to return all mobile phone mast applications to the control of the local planning authority. The motion also calls for health risks on a precautionary basis to be taken into account in determining a planning application.

Andrew Stunell MP & Cllr Linda Seekings at the time Andrew's bill was going through parliament

The EDM is very similar to the bill that was proposed by fellow Lib Dem MP Andrew Stunell in the last parliament. Sadly that bill fell due to the General Election being called. Andrew's bill did however receive the unanimous support of all of Crawley's Councillors when Northgate Lib Dem Councillor Linda Seekings proposed that the Council wrote to Crawley's MP calling for her to support it.

Speaking about the EDM Lorely Burt MP, speaking in her constituency said, "Residents are increasingly concerned over the potential health risks of new base stations and masts close to housing in Solihull. Local planners should be permitted to take these fears into account."

"I have assisted constituents with many campaigns and some have been successful, but there are too many loopholes that can open the door to unwelcome and potentially dangerous development, and there is often little the local planning authority can do."

"My colleagues will be seeking all party support in parliament for a change in the law to give planning control back to local communities and their elected councillors. There are simply too many permitted developments that fly in the face of local communities under current regulations."