Mobile Phone Masts - It's Time to Talk!

12.00.00am GMT Sat 5th Mar 2005

'It's time to talk about where to put mobile phone masts', says Cllr David Simpson

SIX YEARS ago Liberal Democrat Councillor David Simpson persuaded Hart Council not to allow masts within 200 yards of schools, surgeries, hospitals or homes.

Just three months later the Conservatives over-turned this policy. Since then dozens of masts have gone up in such places.

in 2000, Liberal Democrat run Yateley Town Council asked mobile phone companies to come and discuss their needs. They offered to work with the companies to help find suitable sites in appropriate locations. But none of the companies responded.

Instead, they keep on putting the planning applications in, knowing that the planning system is too weak to stop them.

'The companies should talk to each local council about their needs in each area,' says Cllr Simpson.

'Instead of fighting us they should be working with us to find the right places for the masts and avoid the sensitive locations.'