Mast fight is not over (From Free Press Series)

Mast fight is not over

RESIDENTS of Talywain have vowed to stop a Vodafone mast being sited near their homes.

They spoke after a judge threw out their legal challenge aimed at stopping the mast being erected at Talywain RFC.

Around 30 people living at Emlyn Terrace and Graig View Terrace have been campaigning to stop the phone mast being sited near their homes. They fear the radiation from it could pose health risks.

The residents have also criticised the way Torfaen council publicised the planning application for the mast - claiming no-one knew about the application, which was passed under officers' delegated powers. The council countered that it had advertised the application locally.

Residents raised funds to mount a legal challenge but at the High Court on October 7, Lord Justice Sullivan sided with Torfaen council and denied residents permission to apply for a full judicial review into the way Torfaen handled the application.

But residents' representative Kath Gullick said the campaign was not over.

"Residents say they will stand in front of the club to stop contractors putting a mast on site. They won't break the law but they will peacefully blockade the site," she said.

"People are just so fed up with not being listened to."

She added: "The judge stated Torfaen council had fulfilled the minimum legal requirements by putting up two notices (describing the planning application).

"I would like to see the council fulfilling their maximum moral requirements. With something like this they should do everything necessary to make sure local people are consulted."