Forum Topic

Application for a mobile phone mast to be installed within the bell tower of St Dunstan's Church

Residents, particularly within the vicinity of St Dunstan's Church, may wish to look at the plans prepared for the proposed installation of the mobile phone mast.  They are available by contacting Ms Rebecca Skerrett at GVA on 0161 956 4305 or via e mail at Rebecca.skerrett@gva.co.uk

Louisa Asker ● 4163d6 Comments

I'm all for it. Phone reception in this area is appalling!

Alexander Powrie ● 4160d

Bless you Maire.There is so much misinformation and 'bad science' around about mobile masts and is always my worry that people will be concerned by this.There is not a single piece of peer-reviewed research which proves a risk. There used to be an organisation (who shall remain nameless) that 'banged the drum' for health risks. Funny how they also had a company that would sell you all kinds of snake oil cures including 'special radio paint' to mitigate a risk that doesn't exist.I had to be (and remain)totally open and objective when working on the 'masts in towers' programme and we would have walked away from it if there was any proven risk to the communities that churches seek to serve. As such, churches are now using the  income to employ youth workers, extend their community activities and, in one case, support a village shop.

Nigel Brooks ● 4160d

I was just thinking how useful you are dear Nigel. It is great to have such professional advice so easily.Louisa,I suggest you pop along to the Church and ask about the consultation. They are lovely people and wouldn't want anyone not to know their plans.

Maire Lowe ● 4161d

My apologies Louisa.The planning guidelines for church installations are far more comprehensive than those for 'streetworks' (which only require an A4 notice on a lamppost and an entry on an obscure telecommunications register) and no individual consultation.Not only does a church installation have to meet secular planning guidelines but the application also has to meet the church's own stringent planning rules which, ultimately, are placed before, in the case of a CofE church the Diocesan Chancellor (a judge) who ensures that all guidelines have been fully met including those which may affect visual impact.The reason I am in favour of more masts (especially hidden ones) is that they enable the mobile phones themselves to operate at far lower power.You have more safeguards with a 'church' installation, and there really is absolutely no proven health risk.I must declare an interest as I spent five years working for the National Church Institutions adjudicating on the early stages of such applications as part of the aforementioned judicial process.

Nigel Brooks ● 4161d

I am not a member of the church, I am one of the residents that was not informed of this application but just found out by chance.

Louisa Asker ● 4161d

Do hope that you get it. A great source of income for the church and absolutely zero proven health risk.The 'radiation' claims have all been debunked and there is no peer-reviewed evidence of risk.We have two in our own church bell tower (St. Thomas the Apostle, Hanwell). The consultation process was comprehensive (one cannot object on health grounds as there is both statute and precedent from previous case law), the installation process was faultless and it prevented an ugly 40 foot high steel pole and loads of cabinets being placed on the street.

Nigel Brooks ● 4163d