Behind the concern is usually a sense that the health risks associated with mobile phone technology have not been properly explained. Local residents will inevitably look to their council to control the development of new sites. But in many ways councils' planning powers are limited. What do you think? Do we know enough about the health issues - and should councils have more control over where new masts are sited? We hope you find the information on these pages useful - please let us know what you think.
More phones, more masts In urban areas with large numbers of tall buildings and high call volumes, the pressure for new sites is greatest - but in such heavily populated areas it is becoming much harder to find acceptable locations. A growing network The technological changes mean that the mast network has to be updated. The Government has a duty to assist the process- but it does have to be aware of environmental considerations. Councils do not make money out of phone masts - if they are sited on pavements the planning application fee is just £220.
Are masts safe? The report (known as the Stewart Report) said that for the general population, the levels of exposure to radiation arising from phones held near to the head or other parts of the body were substantially greater than whole-body exposures arising from base stations. The report also stated that where a mast was proposed close to a school the radiofrequency (RF) beam of the greatest intensity should not fall on any part of the school or its grounds without the agreement of both the school and parents The report urged young people to limit their use of mobile phones and called for 'switch off' signs to be erected at the entrances to hospitals. It concluded that base stations should comply with the radiation guidelines of the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). Even so the Stewart Report confirmed that it was not possible to say that exposure to RF radiation, even at levels below national guidelines, would be totally without potential adverse health effects, and that the gaps in knowledge were sufficient to justify a precautionary approach. The Government's advice to planning authorities is that where a proposed installation falls within these guidelines, it should not be necessary to consider further the health effects. The key scientific body - the National Radiological Protection Board (NRPB) says that exposures from mobile phone base stations are usually small fractions of international guidelines, typically less than 0.01% at most locations accessible to the public. Surveys also show that radio and TV transmitters can produce exposures that are comparable with those from mobile phone base stations.
The planning rules In many cases new masts can be installed without the need for a full planning application. Most crucially of all, councils have been told by ministers that they should not refuse planning applications for masts or base stations on health grounds where these meet the ICNIRP guidelines. The general rules are:
Public concern It urged the appropriate scientific body - the NRPB to address these concerns in a more sensitive and informative manner and called for a more open and proactive approach. And it called on the Government to circulate a leaflet to every household in the UK providing clearly understandable information on mobile phone technology and on related health aspects. This has still not happened. It is against this background of public concern, lack of information and frustration with the limitations of the planning process that councils have to take decisions on applications for new sites.
A balanced approach Although health factors will not be the main consideration where the proposal meets ICNIRP guidelines, the council will carefully examine the visual and environmental effect of any proposal on the surrounding area. In October 2006 a Government inspector overruled a council decision to refuse permission for a mast in Upper Richmond Road. The council had been concerned at the impact on the visual amenity of the area. The inspector dismissed this concern and reiterated Government guidance on health issues.
Current and recent planning applications Details are available online by ward and also for the whole borough.
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Phone masts - a cause for concern?
