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23/04/2002
Mobile phone masts plans inadequate say MLA's
South Down Assembly member Eamonn O'Neill has claimed that the impending legislation governing the planning permission of mobile phone masts does not go far enough.
Environment Minister Dermot Nesbitt recently announced that he was to introduce planning controls on mobile phone masts that will be stricter than any other region of the British Isles.
Previously, only masts over 15 metres needed full planning permission, however all applications for masts, irrespective of their size, will now need full planning permission from the end of May 2002 – subject to scrutiny of the assembly.
Commenting on the new regulations, Eamonn O'Neill said: "Mobile phones and their masts have increased drastically in recent years. There have always been queries about their safety and I do not think it is appropriate that the issue should solely be a planning one. There is also a health dimension.
"We need planning permission which is in line with developed protocols. The forthcoming legislation claims to offer people more of a say but it is just laying the onus on the public to make objections and take responsibility. Surely this is the department's responsibility?"
Sinn Fein chairperson Mitchell McLaughlin also attacked the plans and has proposed that independent and ongoing monitoring of emissions from the phone masts should be a condition of planning permission and should be funded by the telecommunications industry.
(MB)
Environment Minister Dermot Nesbitt recently announced that he was to introduce planning controls on mobile phone masts that will be stricter than any other region of the British Isles.
Previously, only masts over 15 metres needed full planning permission, however all applications for masts, irrespective of their size, will now need full planning permission from the end of May 2002 – subject to scrutiny of the assembly.
Commenting on the new regulations, Eamonn O'Neill said: "Mobile phones and their masts have increased drastically in recent years. There have always been queries about their safety and I do not think it is appropriate that the issue should solely be a planning one. There is also a health dimension.
"We need planning permission which is in line with developed protocols. The forthcoming legislation claims to offer people more of a say but it is just laying the onus on the public to make objections and take responsibility. Surely this is the department's responsibility?"
Sinn Fein chairperson Mitchell McLaughlin also attacked the plans and has proposed that independent and ongoing monitoring of emissions from the phone masts should be a condition of planning permission and should be funded by the telecommunications industry.
(MB)
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