Phone mast fear

Under present UK laws One 2 One does not need planning permission to erect a mast on the top deck of the three-tier Bront Village car park on Weavers Hill.

But Wayne Deakin, a full time council car park attendant on the site, is very concerned.

He says: "I would like to know what effect it will have on my health long term.

"I wouldn't like to think that in five year's time I'd be struck down with an illness.

"I would more or less have to pass it and go near it every day."

Mr Deakin says picnickers also regularly use the car park.

Several allotments, some containing livestock, lie on the other side of where the mast would be.

Mr Deakin wonders whether these could be affected by radiation.

The National Radiological Protection Board - a Government body set up to research the radiation effects of mobile phones and masts - has not found conclusive evidence of long-term health damage.

"Nevertheless there does remain a need for further research," says a Board spokesman.

But, after Britain's masts were revealed to emit some of the world's highest radiation levels, a Government committee recently demanded tougher planning regulations.

A national campaign is ongoing. Worth Valley councillor Kris Hopkins has asked people to comment on the planned Haworth mast. He has so far heard from nine concerned individuals.

Any views will be discussed at April's Haworth Tourism Management meeting.

Comments should be sent to Cllr Kris Hopkins, 3 Oakworth Grange, Oakworth BD22 7JL.

* Cononley villagers have won their fight to stop a mobile phone mast - for now.

Vodafone's plans to erect a 15-metre mast in the grounds of Highgate Poultry farm have been withdrawn.

Craven District planners reacted to villagers' protests and say agreement on a site was not met within the 42-day consultation period.

Cononley postmaster Andy Gregory says he collected over 100 letters opposing the mast.

He adds: "Our main concern is they will reapply.

"If we hear anything we will protest again - we seem to have a lot of people on our side.

"The health issue is the main concern rather than it being an eye sore."

Another protester, who will not be named, accuses Craven planners of breaking the rules.

She explains: "Cononley is a conservation area and it would appear that previous applications should have gone to full planning permission - not a notice stuck on a pole."

She hopes further discussions are delayed until the Government decides whether to implement a Private Members' Bill for tougher rules on mast applications.

Craven planning officer Richard Preston says the conservation area was in fact taken into account.

He adds: "Studies into the effects of emissions are ongoing.

"We can't take public health into account at this stage.

"But we considered public perception of harm - if it is too close to houses then it would interfere with peoples ability to continue enjoyment of their dwellings."

A further application from Vodafone would be considered, he said.

Spokesman for Vodafone David Danielli says an alternative 12-metre monopole mast is to be suggested.

He says: "There's to be an on-site meeting at which village representatives, the planning authority and other advisers will discuss the new application."

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