Something mast be done

Julie Gilbert • Published 19 May 2010 12:00

Calls have been made to review planning guidelines on mobile phone masts, following approval of a mast only 400 yards from a Clydebank school.

Despite objections from residents and parents over health concerns, councillors on the area's Planning Committee could not debate an application on these grounds, under Government planning regulations.

The mast is to be located at the Scottish Water pumping station at the roundabout between Dalmuir and Old Kilpatrick, close to Clydemuir Primary.

Mum Lesley Murray, from Dalmuir, has a son at the school and is very concerned about the possible effects of radiation.

She said "I would like to see residents taking up this case and winning it.

"The studies that the planning guidelines are based on were written up about ten years ago.

"Guidelines need to be updated regarding health - there are new studies that have been done into health.

"Residents should be better informed on the dangers of these installations."

Studies which back up Lesley's concerns include one by Menouifiya University, Egypt, in 2007 which tested around 80 people living nearby a phone mast and another 80 people who were not.

It concluded that symptoms such as headaches, dizziness and sleep disturbance were more prevalent in the groups near the phone mast and recommended guidelines on public exposure to phone masts be reviewed.

However, other studies, such as one by the University of Bielefeld, Germany, in 2009, concluded that mobile phone base stations could not be linked with adverse health affects.

Lesley plans to ask Clydebank MSP Des McNulty to help her with this fight.

A spokesman for the Scottish Government said: "Applications are required to be accompanied by a declaration that the equipment and installation is designed in full compliance of the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection guidelines."

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This article appeared in Clydebank Post 19 May 10

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