Police mast decision deferred

The masts are aimed at improving communication

Councillors are to visit the sites earmarked for controversial communications masts in Fife.

Protesters are concerned the Terrestrial Trunked Radio (Tetra) mast system could cause health problems for those living nearby.

Fife Council's east area committee initially agreed to defer planning applications on masts for six months to seek further scientific information.

But that decision was "called in" by Fife Council's strategic environment and development committee, prompting campaigners to raise fears that approval may be "railroaded" through.

On Monday, the committee decided to defer any further decision on the masts so councillors could carry out site visits.

We get the distinct impression that someone is trying to keep councillors in the dark and railroad these mast applications through NO2 Tetra campaign spokesperson

The Tetra system is designed to give emergency services more secure communications but opponents have claimed it pulses on a frequency that can affect human brain waves.

The company behind the applications, O2 Airwave, has refuted claims of any possible dangers and said the system falls well within national guidelines.

The NO2 Tetra group staged a protest outside the council headquarters before Monday's meeting.

"We get the distinct impression that someone is trying to keep councillors in the dark and railroad these mast applications through," said a spokesperson.

The Scottish Executive has previously ruled that there are no health implications connected to the system and therefore concerns about health do not count as a reason for councils refusing planning permission.

O2 Airwave already has permission to erect about half of the network of 658 masts it plans to set up across Scotland.