Jun 5 2007

By Michael East

RESIDENTS have lost a bid to stop the construction of a phone mast on Green Belt land near their homes in Caterham.

Councillors approved the application at a meeting of Tandridge District Council's development control committee last Thursday.

The approval came despite more than 120 people signing a petition against the 12-metre-high mast, which claimed it will endanger people's health and be an eyesore.

The mast will be built on Caterham Close, a private road lined with mature trees.

Councillor Christopher Botten (Portley,Lib Dem) led the calls to reject the plan, but admitted he did not have enough support on the committee.

He said: "I'm disappointed and distraught at the decision. I tried my best, but just lacked the support.

"The Reigate Post should now run a competition to name the phone mast after someone everyone hates."

Cllr Botten added that the decision could not be appealed because of Government legislation.

The phone mast is expected to improve the existing, poor mobile phone signals in the north of Caterham.

A report presented to council-lors at the committee meeting recommended the phone mast application be approved.

The report added that the mast complied with the "International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP) guidelines,and so no objection on the basis of health risks could be sustained".