Mum mobilises phone mast opposition

7:20am Saturday 6th September 2008

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A KIDDERMINSTER mother is mobilising local opposition to a proposed mobile phone mast that she fears could seriously endanger her young daughter’s health.

Karen Bennett, 30, a receptionist, of Gainsborough Mews, has been fearful for the safety of children in her neighbourhood since an application was made by Vodafone to install a telecommunications mast at the Gainsborough House Hotel in Bewdley Hill.

She explained that there was “increasing evidence” that mobile phone masts contributed to a number of serious illnesses, including cancer.

She added that there had been cases where operators had removed mobile phone masts after “outbreaks” of illness but admitted it had never been proved exactly what was to blame.

Mrs Bennett, mother of two-year-old Millie, said: “I am very worried for my child. I would consider selling up but not many people would buy my house with a mobile phone mast nearby.

“I am scared something will happen. I think there is a serious risk and I am worried for everybody’s safety. Mobile phone masts should not be located in residential areas.”

Mrs Bennett has been canvassing support from residents and they have been signing a petition to present to Wyre Forest District Council’s planning bosses.

Dr Rob Matthews, spokesman for Vodafone, said: “The proposed radio base station at Gainsborough House Hotel, Kiddeminster is required to improve the 3G coverage to our customers in the area.

“This will provide our customers with access to mobile broadband with speeds similar to those offered by fixed line broadband suppliers.

“The antennas for this base station will be located inside a flagpole at the rear of the building and, therefore, will not be visible.

“As part of our pre-application consultation strategy, we have written to the local planning authority and ward councillors and the local planning authority planning officer has indicated his support for the scheme.”

He added: “We recognise that some communities are concerned regarding the deployment of radio base stations.

“All of our base stations are designed, built and operated in accordance with stringent international guidelines laid down by the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection.

“The adoption of these guidelines has the formal backing of independent bodies, such as the World Health Organisation. Typical public exposures from our base stations will be many hundreds, if not thousands, of times below these guidelines.”