CAMPAIGN WELCOMES SURVEY FINDINGS

Mast Sanity has welcomed the findings of the survey undertaken by the Metropolitan Borough of Harrow of the 419 local planning authorities in England on the topic of planning and telecoms. The 158 returned questionaires (37.7%) clearly demonstrates that many local authorities share the same concerns as Mast Sanity and local communities nationwide. Mast Sanity also endorse the proposal accepted by 84% of local authorities responding to set up a Local Authority Telecoms Network.

Mast Sanity Co ordidinator Lisa Oldham said "It is important that decision making bodies such as local authorities recognise the needs and concerns of those they purport to represent. This survey demonstrates in clear terms that the vast majority of local authorities have real concerns about the processes for deciding permissions for telecom installations, and that the public perceive that the system is failing them. It is also noteworthy that such a large number recognise the need for more collective action, and are prepared to move forward to resolve the concerns of local communities, by lobbying for changes to the decision making process".

Chris Maile CfPS Chair Chris Maile added "The questions have been well put, the decisions, postive, the decisions overwhelmingly point in one direction, that is for change, for an acceptance that the question of health must be resolved, once and for all. CfPS like Mast Sanity is prepared to take action, we are very pleased to see that the vast majority of local authorities are also prepared to take action. In that spirit we hope these local authorities will now go forward and act positively in ensuring the wishes of those affected by tecoms installations are more fully reflected in the decisions they make".

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Editors Note: for more info contact Chris Maile 0161 959 0999.

Local Authority Telecoms Questionnaire Results. London Borough of Harrow. 2002

419 questionnaires were sent to Local Authorities and 158 replied (37.7%)

95% of respondents thought telecoms equipment is an important planning issue

73% of respondents thought telecoms is an important health issue

98% of respondents said proposals produce strong public reaction

77% of respondents thought current legislation is unsatisfactory

84% of respondents thought the planning regime does not deal adequately with community concerns

84% supported the principle of a Local Authority Telecoms Network to:-

• Exchange Information
• Act as a Local Authority Lobbying Group
• Identifying research needs and commissioning projects
• Liaise with technical and scientific bodies
• Liaise with interest groups

For more info contact

Graham Jones, Chief Planner

Direct Line 020 8424 1466