Lib Dems present phone mast Bill - Foster

4.07.06pm UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 18th Jan 2005

Bath's MP, Don Foster has warmly welcomed the introduction of the Telecommunication Masts Planning Control Bill into Parliament by his Liberal Democrat colleague, Andrew Stunell MP.

The Liberal Democrat Chief Whip presented this private members bill which, if passed, will stop companies from putting up mobile phone masts without consulting local communities and gaining planning approval from the Local Authority.

The Bill would bring in the so-called 'precautionary principle', giving planners more powers to refuse mast applications.

Commenting, Don said,

"The Government have backed out of repeated promises to change the planning laws, and thus have let down communities all over the country.

"The deep public concern about the siting of mobile phone masts is proof that the law needs to be changed. And the excellent campaign against the one at the Wellsway / Bloomfield Road junction, clearly demonstrates this.

"Communities and their elected representatives should no longer have to put up with feeling completely powerless and isolated from the planning system.

"This Bill is long overdue and has cross-party support.

"It is a chance to make the Government take notice of the concerns of people all over the country, and would give extra protection to schools, medical facilities and homes from high radiation levels from all telecommunication masts."

The bill is due to have its second reading on the 18th March.