PETER WALSH

A granddad has hit out at plans for a mobile phone mast being installed in woods near to a venue used by youth groups and sports teams.

Telecommunications giant 3, formerly Hutchison 3G, has applied to Broadland District Council for prior approval for a 22.5-metre mast on land near to the Fitzmaurice Pavilion, off Pound Lane, Thorpe.

Thorpe St Andrew Parish Council has not lodged any objections to the plans, but families - unhappy that children and sporting teams will be playing in the shadow of the mast, which also includes three antennae, dish antennae, and radio equipment housing - are opposed to it.

Bob Carman, 70, a retired prison officer who lives with his wife Pamela in nearby Eastern Crescent, Thorpe St Andrew, said he would be objecting to the plans.

“It's a 22.5metre mast and it's going to be a very ugly site and will spoil the immediate surrounding environment,” he said.

“There's an awful lot of houses in the area and it will possibly devalue properties.”

Mr Carman, who has four children and 10 grandchildren, said the site was also next to a leisure area used by dog walkers as well as youngsters.

“The potential health risks haven't been proved or disproved but is the council willing to gamble with the future of people living in Thorpe St Andrew? Thorpe St Andrew High School is only a couple of hundred metres away and they are now building the new school on Dussindale Drive, and there's also a school up Hillside.”

Mr Carman said he would be writing to the council to let them know his views and would be supporting neighbours in a campaign against it.

The Evening News has fought against the installation of mobile phone masts near homes and schools until it is proved they are safe through our Put Masts on Hold campaign. Dr Ian Gibson, Norwich North MP, a supporter of the campaign, urged people to object to plans for the mast.

“I think there's no guarantee that young people will not be subjected to radiation from these masts. There's no question they're safe because they're not,” he said.

William Comery, corporate affairs manager for South East Ericsson the company installing the mast on behalf of 3, said nine locations were looked at but the proposed site was chosen because it was thought it would “cause the least disturbance to the environment and community” and would be screened by trees.

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