Inquiry hears police mast appeal

The Tetra mast issue has sparked protests in Haverfordwest

A communications company's appeal over a refusal to allow a police mast at a site in Haverfordwest began before a planning inspector on Tuesday.

Pembrokeshire councillors refused O2 Airwave permission to build the mast at Uzmaston Road in the town last year.

Councillors said they took the decision due to local fears about the possible health risk of the mast.

But the company said the overwhelming scientific consensus was that it was unlikely to pose a hazard to health.

A planning inspector heard from both sides of the case during a hearing that was expected to last two days at County Hall in Haverfordwest.

Last December members of the authority's planning committee refused permission for the 18m high mast and ancillary equipment.

National guidelines

Prior to the hearing a spokeswoman for Pembrokeshire Council said it was contesting O2's appeal.

"The application for Uzmaston was turned down by members because of the local community's fear that the adverse health effects were such the proposal would have a harmful effect on residential amenities," she added.

Tetra mast equipment had since been placed at the town's police station as a temporary measure.

But this sparked a protest by more than 350 school children and their parents who said the police station was too close to eight primary and secondary schools in the town.

Dyfed-Powys Police said the equipment at the station would be moved to Uzmaston Road if the appeal was successful.

O2 Airwave said that emissions from the Tetra system were fully compliant with all national guidelines and were 1,000 times lower than internationally-recognised limits.