Tighter controls on phone masts

Worries have been expressed over masts near houses

A move to make all new ground-based mobile phone masts subject to planning permission has been unveiled by the Scottish Executive.

Environment Minister Sarah Boyack said the proposals would be included in a consultation document to be issued shortly.

She is planning a summit meeting which will bring together environmental groups with representatives of the industry and local authorities.

But Scottish councils have voiced concerns about a surge in the number of masts being erected.

Sarah Boyack: "More research needed"

Highland Council has written to Ms Boyack warning that phone companies are rushing to build masts in anticipation of an expected change in the law.

In March the Scottish Parliament's transport and environment committee recommended a change in the current law - which allows mobile masts below 15 metres to be built without full planning permission - because of health fears.

After a five-month investigation, MSPs recommended a major tightening of planning controls so all applications, however small, would come under scrutiny.

The committee decided there was "reasonable doubt" about the safety of masts and recommend that health should be a factor when planning decisions were taken.

Announcing details of the consultation document, Ms Boyack said the summit meeting with environmental groups, the industry, local authorities and other interested parties would be held soon.

'Tough guidelines'

"I have decided that our consultation will include a proposal that all new ground-based masts should be subject to full planning control," she said.

"The priority is to provide the assurances that people are seeking while not creating unreasonable planning delays for mobile phone companies.

"I am encouraged by the fact that radiation from all new antennae is now within tough international guideline levels."

She was also reassured that the recent Stewart Report on the health issues associated with mobile phones and masts concluded that the balance of evidence to date suggested there were no adverse health effects on the general population.

A report said children were vulnerable

"However, I am conscious that the same report stressed the need for more research and recommended a precautionary approach.

"It also identified the greater vulnerability of children. The Executive will take note of those points."

Ms Boyack recognised that people could be upset when masts were erected close to their homes without any warning - and without any opportunity to lodge objections.

"This is at odds with many other types of development where 'neighbour notification' is an important part of the planning process," she said.

However, local authorities say the number of mast applications has surged since the committee recommended tighter controls.

'Complete disrepute'

Highland Council - which is receiving dozens rather than handfuls of applications - has written to Ms Boyack saying that the planning process was in complete disrepute.

"They are out of control," said the council's John Reenlist.

"They are making a considerable impact on the environment."

Other councils which have noticed an increase in applications include the Borders and West Lothian - where protesters recently defeated Orange's attempt to site a mast near their homes.