Gabalfa Lib Dems oppose Flaxland Avenue phone mast plans

3.21.16pm BST (GMT +0100) Sun 13th May 2007

Cllr. Ed Bridges has pledged to oppose plans for a phone mast by Flaxland Avenue footbridge.

Welsh Liberal Democrats in Gabalfa ward have pledged to oppose plans to build a mobile phone mast by the footbridge on Flaxland Avenue.

A recent planning application (ref: 07/1018/W) is seeking permission to erect the mast, which would be around 12 metres in height.

The local Lib Dem Focus Team has expressed concern over the application, saying it could have huge health implications for nearby residents and for patients at University Hospital, which lies the other side of the A48 from the proposed site.

Cllr. Ed Bridges said: "I am extremely concerned over the application. With so many families in the area, and with the hospital so nearby, it would be ludicrous for planning permission to be given. I will be doing everything I can to oppose the plans."

At a national level, the Liberal Democrats are trying to prevent masts such as these from being erected in areas where the health risks would be particularly great, such as schools and medical facilities. Lib Dem MP, Andrew Stunnell, has proposed an Early Day Motion in Westminster which would allow local authorities to refuse planning permission on health grounds as well as making the mobile phone industry produce more evidence about the radiation emitted by their masts.

Local Lib Dem, John Dixon, said: "The motion is due for its second reading on 29th June. I sincerely hope that our Labour MP will support the EDM so that situations like this won't arise in future."

For more information on the Lib Dem policy on phone masts, visit: http://www.libdems.org.uk/campaigns/mobile-phone-mast-controls.16633.html