School head joins phone mast battle

THE HEAD teacher of Staffordshire's biggest school says he fears students' health could be put at risk by proposals to site a mobile phone mast less than 100 metres away

Michael York, principal of de Ferrers Specialist Technology College, has added his voice to those opposing the plan by telecoms giant Telefonica 02 to site a 15-metre mast on the corner of Tutbury Road and Harehedge Lane, Outwoods.

As reported in Thursday's Mail, Outwoods politicians have opposed the scheme, which is currently being considered by East Staffordshire Borough Council.

Mr York said he was concerned by the mast's proximity to his school's Dove Campus, in Harehedge Lane - 90 metres from the proposed location.

"Our view is straightforward - we have objected to the mast on the grounds of its proximity to our premises," he said. "We are very concerned about this and we know from the contact we've had with local parents that they are, too.

"I realise that there is an ongoing debate about whether mobile phone masts are harmful or not, but my view is that, where there is any doubt at all, we should not be risking students' future health and safety."

Mr York cited advice issued by the Department for Children, Schools and Families, which says the 'beam of greatest intensity' - the strongest radiofrequency (RF) radiation - which usually falls between 50 and 200 metres from the base station, should not be allowed to fall on school premises without permission from the school and parents.

The advice was based on an independent study which recommended a 'precautionary approach' after finding that, while exposure to RF radiation at permissible levels did not have an adverse effect on health, it did have biological effects, with children absorbing more energy than adults.

Residents living nearby have presented a petition to the council opposing the scheme.

Simon Gaskin, landlord of the Beacon Hotel, which borders the site, said: "We are not very pleased at all about it.

"Although we haven't got a particularly picturesque view, we would be staring at this mast from the rooms we live in and it is higher than the pub."

Mr Gaskin said he was also concerned fears about the health effects of masts would put people off coming into his pub, which recently re-opened after being closed for eight months following a devestating fire in March.

Telefonica 02 says its mast would be within Government-defined limits on the amount of radiation emitted, and that objections to the scheme on health grounds are 'unfounded'.