West Dorset MP backs protest against Lyme mast

Article in http://www.bridportnews.co.uk
9:51am Thursday 26th March 2009

WEST Dorset MP Oliver Letwin is backing worried Lyme residents in their fight to stop plans for a new mobile phone mast close to homes, businesses and a school.

The O2 transmitter is planned for a derelict piece of land on Lyme Regis Industrial Estate to improve network coverage in the area.

Nearby residents have launched a Fight the Mast campaign and sent a petition with 60 signatures to planning authority West Dorset District Council. MP Oliver Letwin has added his voice to the campaign and last week met with senior management at the district council, a meeting he said left him ‘quite optimistic about the outcome’.

Mr Letwin said: “Of course, this is all very difficult – because we all want to be able to use our mobile phones, and none of us wants a mobile mast anywhere near us. A careful balance, therefore, has to be struck.

“But it never fails to amaze me how much chutzpah the operators of these systems have.

“I am sure we can fight this one off, and get the thing put somewhere a lot further away from human beings.”

Objectors say the mast would seriously put at risk the hundreds of schoolchildren who use the nearby footpath.

Headteacher Dr Richard Steward said: “The Woodroffe School inevitably has concerns regarding the potential health issues relating to over a thousand pupils and has requested furthe information from Needham Haddrell (O2 agents).

The Lyme Regis Society says the location does not seem ‘sensible’. Planning officer Stephen Wilkins said: “The mast under consideration is just over 100 metres from Woodroffe School. It and its base station are located scarcely four metres from the footpath used by the majority of pupils going to and from the town, and about 20 metres from the pedestrian crossing used by all the pupils.”

Lyme Regis Town Council has also joined the debate and recommended to the district council that O2’s planning application be refused.

At the town council’s planning committee meeting last Wednesday, chairman Spencer Hogg gave members a ‘note of warning’ that objections on health grounds alone would not be enough.

Senior town councillor Ken Meech said: “The Government scientists insist there are no dangers from these masts. I think public perception is different to that and quite rightly so. “ Uplyme Road resident Jackie Deane, who lives only metres from the site, said: “We have got grandchildren who come every year for a holiday and if that mast goes up, they won’t be coming any more.”

The district council’s development services manager, John Greenslade, said the application was publicised according to official guidelines.

Campaign leader Alan Deane is trying to arrange a meeting and would welcome calls on 01297 442718.