Read Carys' submission to Thurrock Council in objection to proposed Chafford phone masts

8.48.50pm GMT Tue 9th Mar 2010

Re: Application No 10/00072/RDG

Application No 10/00070/RDG

25th February 2010

Dear Sir/Madam,

I am writing in my capacity as Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Thurrock, to express my grave concern for the residents of Chafford Hundred with regard to the planning applications referenced above. I am fully supportive of the No Masts on Chafford campaign, confident that a requirement for any sized telecommunications mast to need full planning permission is within my party's policy. I welcome the decision that the applications will be considered by Full Committee on 11th March.

I am struck that Chafford Hundred, as a flagship development area for the borough, is considered an appropriate site for mobile phone masts. As I understand it, the Council has thus far taken the conservation of the area very seriously, and have been effective in other considerations, for example the preservation of ancient oak trees in the area. As such, the Council should give profound consideration to the need to reject O2's application.

I understand that matters of site, location and landscape are the only criteria included for consideration of a planning application. Residents at the Public Meeting held at Chafford Campus on 6th February were concerned that the mobile phone masts will have a detrimental effect on their enjoyment of their environments, as well as possibly on the value of their properties. Many residents will find views from windows obscured by the masts. In relation to the Fenner Road application, this is close to land which is the subject of a Lottery Fund bid to improve the aesthetic and conservation value of the landscape. With regard to the Clockhouse/Warren Lane application, this is near a designated (by Essex Wildlife Trust) bridle path and only feet away from one of the viewing points in the conservation area.

Besides these concerns which may be considered, there are serious worries with regard to the health effects from radiation created by mobile phone masts. I am sure you will be aware of the 'precautionary principle' recommended by the Stewart Review in 2000. The proposed sites are, while not within 400m of a school, close to childminding businesses, homes and recreation areas of many families. Regardless of one's personal view on the level of radiation risk, it is undoubted that such concerns - which are held widely within the general population - could affect local businesses and property values.

I am concerned further by the lack of consultation by O2 with local residents - all who attended the Public Meeting concurred that they had not been notified. Further, the Headteacher at Warren Primary School had not been informed of these plans. I welcome the designation of these applications with red status under the Traffic Light Model, which will now initiate a public consultation.

I ask that you give due consideration to the residents' campaign for No Masts on Chafford, and of the petition submitted by Ms Tracy Law yesterday, 24th February, consisting of 639 written and 363 online signatures against the proposals.

Yours sincerely,

Carys Davis

Thurrock Liberal Democrats

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