Mobile mastas march on as Tories abstain
Proposals to bring mobile phone masts under tight planning rules were defeated in the House of Commons this week, as Conservative MPs abstained.
The decision leaves networks free to erect masts of up to fifteen metres without the consent of local communities, or their Councils. The masts were exempted from planning control in 1984, and there are now over 40,000 base stations across the country. Governments have been reluctant to plug the gap in the rules after receiving over £30 billion in licence fees from the operators.
Liberal Democrat Planning Spokesman and North Cornwall MP, Dan Rogerson, led his colleagues through the voting lobbies in support of greater control for residents.
Commenting, he said:
“The last Conservative Government was wrong to exempt mobile phone masts from the need to gain planning permission in advance.
“Many communities have been disturbed by masts being placed in inappropriate places, and health fears have been cause for further concern.
“Even though the Conservative Party promised to change the law in the last manifesto, their MPs sat on their hands when they had the opportunity to act.
“Almost everyone now uses a mobile phone, so there is no argument against masts in principle.
“But local people should get their say on where they are sighted, with any possible risk to health taken properly into account.”
