CONSERVATIVES WALK AWAY FROM PHONE MAST BATTLE

5.06.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 29th Jul 2008

Solihull'S MP, Lorely Burt has launched a stinging attack on the Conservatives for refusing to support calls to tighten up planning rules on mobile phone masts.

Currently, fewer restrictions govern planning applications for phone masts up to 15 metres in height, often making it difficult for councils to refuse permission for controversial proposals.

Liberal Democrats in Parliament recently moved an amendment to the Planning Bill which would have meant applications for phone masts would have required full planning permission and therefore be considered in the same way as applications for new buildings or change of use of existing ones.

But Labour MPs voted against the call and Conservative MPs did not bother voting at all.

Lorely Burt said:

"Communities can sometimes be powerless to stop inappropriately sited phone masts going ahead because the planning system has fewer restrictions on them than for many other planning applications.

"The change the Liberal Democrats proposed in the House of Commons would have given residents a fighting chance to stop inappropriately sited phone masts. It would have meant the phone companies would have had to apply for full planning permission in the same way that any other business would need to.

"I was very disappointed however to see that the Conservatives did not bother to vote for this change. They simply sat on their hands, despite telling everyone at the last general election that they supported this policy.

"This is a stunning volte-face by the Conservatives who have campaigned locally for a change in the planning law.

"However, in Westminster they wasted the opportunity, putting party politics before people and letting residents down.

"As a result, communities in Solihull will continue to find it hard to battle against inappropriate phone masts."