Stunell Champions Mobile Phone Mast Controls with Bill

5.12.41pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 28th Mar 2007

Today Hazel Grove MP, Andrew Stunell presented a Bill to Parliament that aims to bring mobile phone masts under strict planning control and bring in the 'precautionary principle', giving extra safeguards for schools, homes, and medical facilities from the risk of excessive radiation.

This is the third time that Mr Stunell has challenged the Government to change the law to give local communities more control over where telephone masts are sited.

Andrew Stunell MP said:

"The positioning of phone masts has upset many people in Stockport as masts have been put up close to schools, hospitals and residential areas. There are dozens of stories of people coming home from work to find a mast that they knew nothing about at the end of their garden.

"The Conservatives did a deal with the phone companies when they were in government to cut planning controls for masts. Under the current ridiculous rules it is easier to get planning permission for a 15 metre mast than it is for a 5 metre conservatory.

"My Bill will allow planning authorities to take account of health concerns and will require the industry to produce more evidence about the radiation emitted, and to justify the need for each mast."

"I have tried to get this Bill onto the statute books for the last two years, but each time it has been opposed by the Government. If you want to see it go into law, you'd better keep your fingers crossed!" ENDS

Notes to editors:

1) The Telecommunications Mast (Planning Control) Bill was presented to Parliament by Andrew Stunell MP on 28th March 2007 with the following sponsors:

Chris Huhne MP

Martin Horwood MP

David Howarth MP

Norman Baker MP

Tom Brake MP

Dan Rogerson MP

2) First Reading: 28th March 2007

Second Reading debate: 29th June 2007.