Published: Wednesday, 3rd September, 2008 9:50am

Residents win phone mast review victory

by Colin Hutton

Survey prompts Government action

MEMBERS of a community blighted by an 'excessive' amount of phone masts are delighted that planning guidelines for the towers are to be reviewed.

With a total of eight masts in Knightswood many residents have raised concerns that their health is being put at risk after claiming they had suffered dizzy spells and migraines since the structures were built.

And after several people living in Rotherwood Avenue and Baldwin Avenue - where there are two masts just yards apart - raised their worries with Bill Kidd MSP, he decided to take action.

A survey was carried out which asked people if they wanted tighter planning control and more public consultation, and after Mr Kidd took the results to Holyrood, the community has now been assured that planning guidelines will be reviewed.

Archie McDowall, 70, who lives next to the two masts, told the Post: 'This brings a certain amount of peace of mind but I still feel that the amount of phone masts in this area is excessive.

'I"m all in favour for this review taking place because it"s a step in the right direction.

'But it is also encouraging that ministers are now looking again at these problems after the hard work of Bill Kidd in bringing the issue to their attention.

'If there was to be any public meetings in the future then they have to be realistic about where they hold them so that people can easily get to them.'

The phone mast on Baldwin Avenue - which is owned by mobile giant 02 - was built more than two years ago, but when the planning application was submitted just two of the residents were notified.

But under the current guidelines set down by the Scottish Government no rules had been broken. Stewart Stevenson MSP, minister for Transport, Infrastructure and Climate Change, said that planning applications are subject to procedures for neighbour notification.

The term "neighbour" refers to land which meets, or is within four metres, of the boundary of the land on which the development is proposed.

Mr Stevenson said: '[The Scottish Government] does intend to review [the planning policy guidelines] although we do not have a timescale for this at present and we will have a public consultation on any proposed changes.'

He also moved to reassure residents who have complained of ill-health.

He said: 'Considering the very low exposure levels and research results collected to date, there is no convincing scientific evidence that the weak radio frequency signals from base stations and wireless networks cause adverse health effects.'

Mr Kidd, list MSP for the area and a Drumchapel councillor, added: 'I am pleased to hear that the Scottish Government intends to review the planning guidance.

'With this in mind I will press for an earlier rather than later review, ask the planning be tightened particularly with regard to proximity of masts to dwellings, and ask that the geographic scope of consultation be broadened.'

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