SOLIHULL MP BACKS PHONE MAST PROTEST

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 29th Aug 2006

Solihull MP, Lorely Burt today met local residents protesting about plans to site a mobile phone base station and 15metre mast housing six antennae close to homes off Widney Lane near to Widney Manor Railway Station.

Families from nearby Austcliffe Drive and Ashbrook Crescent made their protest on site with banners, saying that very few residents had been given notice of the intended installation, and that it was too close to residential housing.

Solihull MP, Lorely has written to planning chiefs at Solihull Council on behalf of her constituents raising concerns over the proposed site for the mast, and the poor level of consultation over the proposals.

"I was phoned by a resident only this morning who told me notices had been received by a handful of residents and that they were delivered over the bank holiday weekend, giving inadequate time to register objections.

"I have asked the Chief Planning Officer to refer the application to the planning sub committee bearing in mind the strength of local opposition. I think that 02 should have another look at the location and see if they cannot site the mast a much greater distance away from local housing before asking for local approval," said the LibDem MP.