Burstow urges caution over mobile phone masts

12.00.00am GMT Wed 19th Jan 2005

In a week when controversy about the health effect of mobile phones has been raging, Paul Burstow MP has backed a Bill which advocates a more cautionary approach to the positioning of mobile phone masts.

The Private Members Bill, which has received the sponsorship of a cross party group of MPs, would ensure that decisions about where to place masts could not be taken without proper consultation with local people. Concerns about effects on health and the environment could no longer be dismissed by simply appealing to the current lack of scientific certainty about the damage caused by mobile phone masts.

The MP for Sutton and Cheam has been working to keep this issue high on the parliamentary agenda. In November he tabled a motion in the House of Commons calling on Government to give more control over phone masts to communities and local planning authorities. He is also currently seeking parliamentary time for a debate on this topic.

The proposed Bill came on the same day that a Government report recommended a precautionary approach, particularly where children are concerned. It advised that children under 8 should not use mobile phones at all. This latest report from Sir William Stewart also called for a review of the planning process for base stations. It did not favour mobile phone masts being situated near to schools.

Paul Burstow commented:

'Whilst the scientific evidence about the effect of mobile phones remains inconclusive it is only right that our planning system is cautious about the positioning of mobile phone masts.

It is essential that planning decisions take seriously input from local people who after all are the ones that have to live with these masts every day. This proposed bill makes listening to the wishes of local people a priority and that is why I am giving it my full support.'