MP CALLS FOR MOBILE PHONE MAST POLICY

12.00.00am GMT Tue 12th Nov 2002

Richmond Park MP Dr Jenny Tonge met concerned residents in Kew on Monday November 11, who were protesting at the new planning application for a mobile phone mast near their homes in Burlington Avenue.

Dr Tonge said: "At first I could not really understand the problem because this application is for a mast just 12 metres away from the previous site which has been given permission already."

"The problem is that residents were unaware that the original site had been passed by the Planning Committee as they had had no notification. The new site is within 30 metres of a child's bedroom and despite Government reassurance, residents are sceptical about the effect of mobile phone waves on individuals.

After the meeting, Dr Tonge commented: "These people were so rational and constructive. They accept the usefulness of mobile phones and have asked me to call on the council to develop a policy."

"It is stupid to have many companies competing for sites. The council should identify sites where masts would be unobtrusive and not be near homes and then tell companies to apply to the owners of those sites. There may be sites owned by the Borough which would fit the bill.

"It just needs planning and a bit of imagination, which the new council appears not to have realised," she said.