Stunell tells mobile phone chiefs to end the insensitive siting of masts

1.34.01pm UTC (GMT +0000) Fri 20th Apr 2007

Andrew Stunell MP & Crawley Cllr Linda Seekings

This week in Westminster, Hazel Grove Lib Dem MP Andrew Stunell met with top bosses from mobile phone companies to further his campaign to tighten planning control for mobile phone masts.

Commenting on the meeting, Andrew said "All too often local residents have woken up to find a mast erected at the bottom of their garden or by a local school. Today I explained their concerns to mobile phone company top bosses."

"It is wrong that the phone companies can simply short-circuit the full planning procedure, often ignoring local residents' concerns. I have presented a Bill to Parliament that would make all masts to go through the proper planning procedure in future. It would allow local authorities to refuse planning permission for masts close to homes, schools or hospitals on health grounds."

"My Bill goes for debate at the end of June. I am expecting a tough battle with both the government and the phone companies. An added problem is that phone companies often erect separate masts close to each other."

"I am challenging the companies to cooperate more and share masts to reduce the number of masts built, and to be much more sensitive to local community concerns."

Crawley Councillor Linda Seekings, said "I was disapppointed when Andrew's last bill to control phone masts ran out of parliamentary time when the General Election was called. At that time all of Crawley Councillors - Lib Dem, Labour and Conservative - all supported my motion urging Crawley's MP to back the bill. I hope that there will be similar support this time."