Fight to prevent Darras Hall mast is not yet all over

Dec 29 2009 by David Black, The Journal

PLANNING officials have been urged to take every possible step to prevent a telecoms giant taking advantage of a council blunder to erect a mobile phone mast next to a popular Northumberland school.

Telefonica O² bosses have sparked anger by deciding to press ahead with their controversial plan to put up the 12.5m-high mast outside 450-pupil Darras Hall First School in Ponteland.

The company’s bid was rejected by county councillors earlier this year following objections from parents and local residents – including fears that electromagnetic radiation could affect children’s health.

However, it then transpired that the refusal was invalid because it did not happen within the required 56 days of the application being received by the council, leaving O² with planning permission by default.

Now the company says it intends to erect the mast – which it claims is essential to improve 3G coverage in the area – in the next couple of months.

Richard Dodd, county councillor for Ponteland North, says he is “deeply concerned” about siting the mast next to the school.