New battle over phone mast

VILLAGERS have launched their second battle against plans for a mobile phone mast to be set up in Blackboys.

They were supported in opposition to a similar plan in December, 2001, when members of Wealden Council's development control sub-committee refused permission for a 15-metre mast at Blackboys Nursery.

Now Orange have submitted a new plan, this time for a 20-metre mast, which would be disguised as a tree and partly shielded by conifers, on a different site at the same nursery.

Mr Jeff Lyons who lives opposite the nursery with his wife Adele, who is expecting a baby, and their three-year-old daughter Annabelle, is one of the campaigners against the mast.

He said the site chosen was within 400 yards of an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the mast itself was a 'huge, horrible monstrosity'.

'They are going to try and obscure it with conifers but the conifers will be half the size of the mast, so there will be a huge thing sticking out at the top. Nobody wants it. At a parish council meeting last week everybody turned up and voted against it, including the parish council,' said Mr Lyons.

A major concern for those living closest to the mast was the potential effect on health. Mr Lyons said Government reports stressed evidence had not been found to prove dangers yet advised that masts should be kept as far away from people as possible. 'Here we would have people living within a 400 metre radius of the mast,' he said.

He and his wife were worried about their daughter and unborn child living so close to a mast.

Orange said the purpose of the mast was to improve network coverage and capacity for its customers living, working and visiting the area. A spokesman said the company believed the 'tree' style installation would minimise the visual impact.

'Orange acknowledges public concern regarding the siting of transmitters, however, there is no conclusive evidence that makes a link between exposure to radio waves, transmitter masts and long term public health risks.'