Calls for review on phone masts

West Auckland councillor Sonny Douthwaite said letting the companies erect masts less than 15 metres without planning permission denied people the chance to debate where they were sited.

His comments came as he took on board residents' concerns over a mobile phone mast off the A688, near Tindale Crescent.

Residents complained to Councillor Douthwaite over fears linking phone masts with health risks such as leukaemia from the effects of radiation.

But when Coun Douthwaite approached Durham County Council to pass on their concerns, he learned phone companies do not need planning permission for masts less than 15 metres (50ft) tall.

He said all planning permission for masts needed to be brought back under local authority control so people's comments could be heard.

"No one has had a chance to voice their objections over the one near Tindale Crescent," he said.

"It doesn't look out of place, but there is so much concern and publicity for these telephone masts over radiation that their needs to be more research into the health risks. No one will definitely say whether there is or there isn't any."

Coun Douthwaite's views were echoed by Andrew Hubbard who, along with other residents, is hoping to persuade One2One to site its 41ft mast outside the village of West Cornforth, Ferryhill, away from their homes.

"It definitely needs to be brought back under local authority control because then it can go through the full planning process rather than just the 42-day consultation period that they have at the moment," he said.

"It would give the local authorities the chance to have more control over where they go.

"The whole notification process needs looking at as well. The borough council actually issued letters informing us of the application but they didn't have to. I think it should be mandatory."

He also agreed there needed to be more research into any possible health risks from the masts