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Residents protest over radio mast
Feb 5 2004
By Staff Reporter, Birmingham Post
An action group has been formed by residents fighting for the removal of a police communications mast after it was switched on despite planners rejecting an application for it.
Birmingham City Council's development committee threw out an application from telecom company Airwave MMO2 for a Tetra network mast in Baltimore Road, Perry Barr, which would overlook nearby Dorrington Road Primary School.
The mast, one of a network to cater for a new emergency services radio network, was put up on September 23 before planning permission was obtained.
Protesters submitted a petition to the committee calling for a site visit so councillors could see how close the mast was to the school and more than 400 parents and residents signed it.
But using emergency powers, Airwave has been able to press ahead with its plans and launch an appeal against the planning decision.
Residents have now set up a campaign group called Residents Against the Mast.
Spokesman Tim Rhys-Roberts, who lives in nearby Lavendon Road, said: "I am submitting a fresh petition to Birmingham City Council calling on the council to take enforcement action to remove the mast and get its transmission switched off.
"We also have a second petition calling for any appeal against planning refusal to be heard at a public inquiry."
A spokeswoman for Airwave said the site was needed to ensure complete radio coverage.
"The network has to be ready for when the handover takes place so it is being tested until then. Emission levels are a tiny fraction of the maximum permitted by health and safety guidelines."
Meanwhile, a Conservative councillor on a Worcestershire council has written to the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to seek a change in the law to allow local councils greater powers to refuse the installation of telecommunication masts.
Stephen Clee, from Bewdley, wrote the letter after an application was made for the installation of a 15.2 metre mast in an landscape protection area.
"The whole countryside would have been spoilt by this monstrosity if it had been approved."
