CHINGFORD: Phone mast planned for listed pub

10:43am Sunday 4th March 2012 in News

By Joe Curtis

Angelo Montalto and MP Iain Duncan Smith outside the Bull on the Green

CONCERNED parents have sought the help of their local MP to oppose an application to build a phone mast near a primary school.

Phone companies Vodafone and Telefonica want to erect a phone mast on top of the listed Bull on the Green pub in Chingford, but parents and residents plan to campaign against the move over health
fears and to protect the historic building.

There is currently no conclusive evidence that suggests phone masts pose a health risk to the public, but campaigners claim there are widespread reports of people falling ill near phone masts.

Current guidelines ensure masts do not raise people’s body heat above one per cent.

But campaigners fear the radiation could cause cancer and fear for children at local schools such as St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Station Road.

Father-of-four Angelo Montalto told the Guardian: “My children go to St Mary’s and it’s only 50 or 60 metres away. I know it’s undecided but there’s enough suspect cases to mean us parents fear for
our children’s safety.

“And it’s a potential eyesore on a beautiful local building. It’s horrible to think we’ll have phone masts spoiling the view – it’s totally incongruous with the history of the pub.”

Owners of eight other potential sites in Chingford had declined to agree to their buildings being used by Waldon Telecom, which is handling the proposal.

These sites include Chingford Library and the police station.

Because the pub is listed the masts would be contained within plastic covers painted to match the brickwork, and Waldon believes this would fit in with the conservation area.

But Mr Montalto added: “We’ve got a lot of heritage in Chingford and it would be horrible to have it all ruined by ugly phone masts being built on top. It will look daft to have them plonked on top
in false covers.”

Residents have discussed with Chingford MP Iain Duncan Smith how they may raise awareness of the plans before they are formally submitted to Waltham Forest Council, and said the next step is to
inform as many parents and local homeowners as possible.

Mr Duncan Smith said: “I always worry if they’re near schools. The health case is unproven but young brains are much more vulnerable to microwave signals. We should treat it with caution,
particularly around young children.”

Comments(3)

lorryl3

says…

10:57am Sun 4 Mar 12

how many of the parents have a mobile phone.
lorryl3

Don’t Give Up

says…

11:59am Sun 4 Mar 12

It is not a question of how many parents have mobile phones as they as individuals make up their own minds how often and for how long each call lasts for. By having a phone mast near schools and residencies the inhabitants have no choice other than to be subjected to the beams of greatest intensity.
Please look at what other countries do (like Australia) where they DO Not ALLOW phone masts within 1,000 metres of schools.
I just hope the owners of the premises will recognize and understand the feelings of the local community who campaigned against a similar idea of having a mast in the church opposite.
Don’t Give Up

lorryl3

says…

1:47pm Sun 4 Mar 12

i live by phone masts and it by a school.
lorryl3

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