The latest Press Release from Gatley Action Against Masts

Gatley in Cheshire have been fighting the multi national company One-2-One and Stockport Council to prevent the erection of a 15m mobile phone mast on a residential street in the village. A resident is seeking leave to apply for Judicial Review because we believe:

v the refusal by the planning committee to recognise legitimate objections from over 250 residents contravenes our basic human right to live safe in our own homes

v that insufficient consideration was given by the planning committee to the perceived hear of adverse health effects from the irradiation emitted from the installation

The campaign has lasted for several months involving several high profile protests culminating in a feature on BBC2's The Money Programme on Wednesday night. A committee from the campaign group Gatley Action had previously met with One-2-One and had already, by personal pressure, got the project put on hold.

Stockport legal department approached solicitor's (Mr John Dunkley of Earth Rights Solicitors) who are dealing with the Judicial Review a couple of weeks ago with a deal saying that Stockport would revoke the planning permission. They were unaware that they cannot do this, as the only person who can revoke planning permission in these instances is the Secretary of State (after referral to him by the council). This was pointed out to them and they have now colluded with One-2-One to try and come up with another deal.

We have now been told that One-2-One are unhappy, but possibly willing, to give an undertaking to Stockport Council, but not to the court, not to erect a mast up on that site for a period of 5 years (this is the length of the planning permission). This would be noted in court but would not be legally binding so it gives us nothing that we have not already got for ourselves.

What ever undertaking we get from the company it does not prevent them putting in a new application a few metres away (or even inches!), there would be nothing to prevent Stockport Council from granting a new permission, or indeed entering into an agreement on potential sites, before this deal is completed.

The phone operators are very concerned that a case involving health issues should not go to court, as if such an issue was to be found in favour of local communities, it would be difficult for any mast in the country to be approved, without first considering the health effects on local communities.

Therefore, due to the strength of our case, in all probability we would win in court, setting a precedent for all those other unfortunate people who are having masts forced upon their doorsteps without the right to object. It is obvious that both parties are desperate not to go to court because they know that communities such as ours are in the right.

We asked One-2-One to answer all the inquiries that local residents had put to them. We also inquired as to the status of talks that One2One were having with Stockport, and whether there was any collusion between them and Stockport Council, it is ironic that on the day we sent that letter this deal was announced, thereby proving our fears.

The deal now being proposed is totally one sided, with very little benefit coming to the local residents, albeit the present mast is not to be erected. But we are receiving no assurances on locations for a replacement mast. We are receiving no assurances about the procedure that Stockport Council use to decide future applications, or that they will take into account the concerns of local residents, health issues, or the recommendations of the Stewart report that a precautionary approach should be adopted.

We obviously have to consider all the options one of which could be the setting up of a protocol to deal with these issues that Stockport council may agree to follow in all cases this would set a precedent and allow SC to lead the way in defying govt 'policy' and many councils may follow their lead.

Lisa Oldham local resident and Campaigner for MAUK (Mast Action UK) said "It is time for Stockport to start considering its rate payers first, rather than the interests of large companies such as One2One. This case shows clearly that the Council are being elbowed into decisions that are not in the interests of local residents, thereby preventing ordinary people from standing up for their rights, their homes, their children and for that forgotten issue - democracy".

END.

For further information contact: Lisa Oldham, Gatley Action Against Masts
0161 491 6543

PRIMARY SCHOOL GOVERNORS
DISCUSS THE VODAFONE MAST

The Gatley Action group asked the primary school governors to discuss the Vodafone mast and its implications
at their last governors meeting.

A fairly hefty information pack was provided which included
science papers and letters from other governors ofother schools.
It was hoped they would show their support
however a reply from them stated.....

"After a lengthy discussion on the subject of mobile phone masts in Gatley, the governing body agreed that they fully supported the Stockport MBC Education Committee decision not to erect telecommunication masts on school grounds until conclusive scientific evidence was produced regarding there safety, and passed on a motion to the Education Committee to this effect."

For the Gatley Action groups reaction watch this space!!!

VIGIL TIMES /
MONEY PROGRAMME

The mast protest was featured on 'The Money Programme'. It was shown on
BBC2 28th March 2001

GATLEY MAST PROTESTERS
STORM LABOUR PARTY SHOW

The Gatley mobile phone mast campaign stepped up a gear this week when protestors stormed the Labour Party roadshow.
Furious villagers managed to get into the ticket-only roadshow when it visited
Oldham on Friday and managed to grab a few minutes
with the deputy prime minister John Prescott.

GATLEY ACTION AGAINST MASTS

We are supporting (and being supported by)
a national organisation called
MAST ACTION UK

Mast Action UK launched a national health survey on the
14th February 2001 and to coincide with this they asked all local campaign groups to send a valentine card to Tony Blair
asking him to have a heart and to please rethink the policy on allowing mobile phone masts to be built near to and on
schools and in residential areas.

ACTION GROUP

One2One have agreed to meet representatives of the Action Group - We will keep you posted

MAST APPROVED

The Council APPROVED the erection of the One2One
mobile phone mast on Oakwood Avenue, Gatley.
Despite in excess of 250 letters received in opposition of it

Council refused to discuss resident's objections