A NEW Bill that aims to bring mobile phone masts under tighter controls is being backed by one of the borough's MP.
The Telecommunications Mast (Planning Control) Bill was presented to Parliament by Liberal Democrat Local Government Secretary Andrew Stunell MP on March 28 and is listed for Second Reading on June 29.
It also aims to bring in the 'pre-cautionary principle', giving extra safeguards for schools, homes, and medical facilities from the risk of Lorely Burt (Lib Dem, Solihull): "The positioning of phone masts has upset many people across Solihull as masts have been put up close to schools, hospitals and residential areas. There are dozens of stories of people coming home from work to find a mast that they knew nothing about at the end of their garden.
"The Conservatives did a deal with the phone companies when they were in government to cut planning controls for masts. Under the current ridiculous rules it is easier to get planning permission for a 15 metre mast than it is for a five metre conservatory."
She added that the Bill would allow planning authorities to take account of health concerns and will require the industry to produce more evidence about the radiation emitted, and to justify the need for each mast.
