Call for change in mast planning laws

A COUNCILLOR is calling for a change in planning laws over the erection of telephone masts.

And he has the support of North Herts District Council.

Cllr Peter Burt urged members of Thursday to support a move which we see local authorities take decisions for ALL telephone mast planning submissions.

Currently, a planning application is not required for a mast which is less than 12 metres.

Cllr Burt gained support of the district council in a move in which MPs would be approached to call on Parliament for a change in the planning laws.

"We have seen the development of a large number of masts in the area and we are calling for local authorities to take decisions on all masts.

"We want to see a common approach and one way is to have just one planning authority taking decisions," he said.

Cllr Burt said that at the moment, said Cllr Burt, telephone mast companies could ride roughshod over local authorities because of the current laws.

"Now is the right time to return all these decisions to local authorities," he said.

The council will be approaching MP Oliver Heald in the hope that the issue will be raised in Parliament.

"We've planted a stake in the ground over the issue," said Cllr Burt.

He was going to raise, too, the question of health issues over the siting of telephone masts.

"It is just possible that a health issue will emerge in the years to come and although it is reasonable to be careful it is not right to comment until the matter has been proven scientifically," he added.