Concern grows over mast plan (From Penarth Times)

Concern grows over mast plan

CAMPAIGNERS have stepped up their fight to stop a telecommunications mast being erected near two Penarth nursery schools, now that Vodafone has submitted a planning application to Vale planners.

Vodafone has made an application for planning permission to install a 10-metre high mast at the junction of Clive Place and Jubilee Lane.

Cllr Paul Church said: "There is grave public concern about the safety of these masts.

"The parents and staff at the Orchard Day Nursery on Clive Place have collected a petition objecting to this application, which I will present to full council at its next meeting on April 27.

"A further petition opposing the mast has also been collected by parents and staff of Nightingales Nursery.

"I believe that the government should heed warnings from Sir William Stewart about such masts near schools and children's nurseries."

His report said a precautionary approach should be taken when dealing with masts and their siting near schools and other such facilities.

Jane Frapwell, a press officer for Vodafone, said: "We are aware that the siting of masts can provoke strong reaction from the public. However, the science is very robust on this and there is no cause for public concern.

"In this case, we are talking about a low power base station. There are guidelines governing emission levels and our masts fall many hundreds of levels below the minimum."

Vale planners must also consider two other mast proposals, one near Ysgol Erw'r Delyn Special School the other from T-Mobile, near the Robert Smith garage on Windsor Road.

Petitions have been gathered to oppose both masts.