Kids' health risk fury (From Penarth Times)

Kids' health risk fury

A PHONE mast - which many people fear can cause increased cancer risks for children - is planned yards from a popular Penarth nursery. And what is most worrying for local campaigners, the local councils appear powerless to stop it.

Residents of Grove Road and local AM Lorraine Barrett have launched a campaign to fight the plan by BT Cellnet to erect a 15-metre transmitter close to Bute Cottage Nursery and surrounding houses.

There has been a major debate in British scientific circles about whether such phone masts can cause an increase in the rate of cancers and childhood leukaemias.

Angry residents, worried about possible ill-effects on health and property prices, have now submitted a 160-signature petition to the Vale Council, currently considering the proposal.

One Grove Terrace resident, who did not want to be named, said: "This is within a few yards of the nursery school. There is generally great concern over the increased exposure to cancer and childhood leukaemia within the vicinity of these masts."

And Lorraine Barrett, who has been urging caution on masts, said: "I've taken up the issue of these masts on several occasions.

"Whilst the evidence from the Stewart enquiry into possible health implications of these masts was not conclusive, Sir William Stewart DID recommend a precautionary approach."

Mrs Barrett added: "I think we must err on the side of caution, particularly in a dense residential area and particularly in such close proximity to a nursery school.

"I know people expect better telecommunications signals these days but not at the expense of possible health implications."

Lucy Maggs, whose Grove Terrace house backs on to the land, said: "I was shattered when I heard about this. I'm worried about health and house prices."

Neighbour Rob Mahoney added: "We're going to face financial ruin as a result of this, let alone the effects on our health."

But despite protests, it seems the local authority may have its hands tied. According to a council spokesman, BT Cellnet has 'permitted development rights', and the proposal is not a planning application.

Instead, it is 'Prior Notification for Permitted Development', in line with Government regulations.

Therefore, the council can only comment on the mast's siting and appearance, and cannot consider any possible detrimental effects on health.

And in what the spokesman dubbed "relatively new territory", if the authority did choose to object, the applicant could appeal.

Grove Terrace resident Pauline Martin said: "We've been told mortgages are not given for people near masts."

The Planning Division is currently considering the proposal, and all written representations.