Anger over mast appeal (From Free Press Series)

Anger over mast appeal

CAMPAIGNERS are urging residents to fight an appeal by Vodafone against Torfaen council's rejection of a mobile phone mast in their village. The mobile phone giant appealed to the Assembly after Torfaen council rejected their application for the mast on land between Pentwyn Primary School and Abersychan Cricket Club.

Residents in Pentwyn and Abersychan want as many people as possible to write to the Assembly planning inspector voicing their concerns over the proposal.

All letters had to be received by the Assembly before yesterday.

Campaigners are also angry they have not been given the chance to meet the inspector in person or argue for the right to a public inquiry.

Under planning laws, Vodafone's appeal can take the form of a written submission, a public inquiry or an informal hearing.

Vodafone and a Torfaen planning committee recommended the appeal take the form of written submission.

Campaigner Yvonne Walker, of Pentwyn said: "There are clear health issues with phone masts and we want the chance to voice our concerns in public."

A similar mast appeal by 02 in Upper Cwmbran will be dealt with by public inquiry in March.

A Torfaen council spokesman said any recommendation given to the Assembly was the decision of the planning committee.

Mark Pearson, 40, lives less than 80 yards from the proposed site of the mast, off Mission Hill Road, Pentwyn. He is worried about the health risks the mast could pose for his children, Alex, 13, and Lara, aged eight, and fears the mast could have affected the selling of his house.

"People don't want to buy a house that has a mast just outside the window," he said.