Published: 19/11/2008 00:00 - Updated: 19/02/2009 09:31

Fears voiced over mobile phone mast

by KEITH BULL

CAMPAIGNERS are questioning the wisdom of placing a mobile phone mast near to a post office and a busy road.

Vodafone is hoping to erect the 12 metre high pole on land at the corner of St Peter's Street and Spring Terrace Road in Stapenhill.

The mast, if given the green light, will be positioned close to Stapenhill Post Office.

A notice signalling the intentions of the communications giant has been placed on the lamppost outside the post office.

Asimah Alam, who is also the daughter of sub-postmaster Nek Alam, told The Mail that the proposed location was 'unacceptable'.

She said: "This area already has issues with air quality due to the busy road and the number of cars that pass here each day.

"We don't need radiation on our doorstep joining with the pollution from cars.

"If this mobile phone mast goes up then it will be detrimental to this area. We do not want it on our doorstep; the community around here does not want this."

Ms Alam, who is also a parish councillor for Brizlincote Valley, is also angry that the phone company have not told the post office of its intentions.

"They have not even bothered to write to us to ask our views considering how close to us it would be", she said.

"I will be writing to Vodafone about it myself despite them not seeking our views. In the letter they have written to Brizlincote Parish Council it says that they have spoken to us, but nobody has been in touch with us.

"Hundreds of children walk past here each day on the way to school, as do mums and toddlers in pushchairs - how can this be the ideal location for a mobile phone mast?"

Planning bosses at East Staffordshire Borough Council told The Mail they received an application yesterday to erect the mast.

However, the documents will have to be validated before they are released into the public domain.

Community leaders say they need to see more details on the plans.

Bernard Peters, who represents Brizlincote Valley the borough council, said: "What we need to know is the height of the mast.

"If it is below 15 metres it does not need planning permission. It is all very vague.

"In terms of community reaction, I know people have been notified but no-one has been to me yet."

No-one from Vodafone was available for comment.

It is the second major phone mast proposal in the Burton area over the last few weeks.

Communications giant O2 also wants to erect the 15-metre high telegraph pole mast with three antennae at the corner of Tutbury Road and Harehedge Lane, Outwoods.