boleyparkaction.org

Boley Park Action Group

Boley Park Action was started in January 2005 as the result of a mobile telephone mast application by Orange on a site close to Darnford Park Play Area and Boley Park Playgroup, aswell as in extremely close proximity to Lichfield residents.

Outraged at the lack of prior consultation, local residents decided to campaign for the sensible siting of mobile telephone masts in the Lichfield area.

There are a number of reasons why residents do not wish masts in close proximity to their homes. Outlined below is a brief summary of why we think residents should be a part of the planning process:

Protecting our future

Boley Park is a residential community , comprising mainly young families who choose Lichfield because of it’s safe environment. Whilst we acknowledge that mobile phones are part of everyday life, we believe phone companies should locate phone masts giving due consideration to local residents and the environment.

Safety

Mobile telephone masts must be sited such that they comply with the relevant guidelines. We closely monitor the applications in Lichfield. However, we do not consider these guidelines are stringent enough as they are self-certificating by the operator.

Siting and Design

Whilst Planning and Policy Guidance 8 (PPG8) and Supplementary Planning Document (Telecommunications) for Lichfield provide some guidance towards the siting and design of mobile telephone masts, we consider they do not go far enough.

House Value

Mobile phone masts devalue your property. That is a fact, rightly or wrongly. People perceive mobile phone masts to be unsightly, as well as containing an element of the unknown. In considering housing, people do not wish to become part of a long term experiment on radiation exposure.

We have researched a number of articles and papers on this subject. In January 2005, the National Radiological Protection Board, chaired by Sir William Stewart, re-issued it’s advice in “Mobile Phones and Health” that a “continued precautionary approach” be used towards this technology.

We thank you for taking the time to consider our views.

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