Mobile phone mast decision overturned

Residents of Balderstone and Kirkolt were delighted this week to hear that they have won the fight to overturn a decision by mobile phone company T-Mobile to erect a phone mast in their local community. In August of this year, an appeal was heard by the planning inspectorate, granting permission for T-Mobile to build a new mobile phone mass on Sandbrook Way.

However, led by local resident Donna Wynn of Edinburgh Way and local Councillor Dale Mulgrew, they decided to give it one more try.

Councillor Mulgrew said: "When the decision was made in August to allow T-Mobile permission to build a mobile phone mast on Sandbrook way, both Donna and I decided we needed to have one more go. We both agreed to seek an independent legal opinion by going down the judicial route, while Donna would continue to actively campaign with the help of Mast Action UK. Unfortunately the legal opinion failed to provide us with any hope.

"However, with Donna's tremendous efforts and the help of campaigner Christine Magnot at Mast Action UK, we managed to persuade T-Mobile not to go ahead with the project."

Richard Owens, head of Community Affairs for T-Mobile in Scotland and Northern England said: "Despite being legally entitled to build upon the site, I can confirm that T-Mobile will not be erecting a mobile phone mast on Sandbrook Way. However there are lessons to be learned from any project particularly for the agents as they undertake pre-consultation with the community. I thank the local residents for their help in this matter and I will take on board your comments."

Councillor Mulgrew said: "It is widely known that some experts believe radiation from such masts can possibly damage your health and it was important that we didn't take such risks in our area. That is why we fought long and hard to overturn this decision.

"I would personally like to thank hard working local residents Donna Wynn and others for their tremendous help in this campaign and everyone else who took part. This is a huge result for our community and I know that local residents will be delighted."