haznut@globalnet.co.uk> has forwarded the following document -- which I consider is remarkable in a number of ways.....
It is a very recent (March 1st) statement issued by the Conservative Party in the U.K..... The "conservative" party in the U.S. (the Republicans) would certainly NOT be capable of such a document!! Indeed, in my opinion
-- even the "liberal" Democrats in the U.S. would not be capable of such a document!!!
While the document does not have the force of law, it is a statement which sets forth the principles under which the Conservatives intend to pursue an entirely new policy with regard to the siting of cell phone masts (towers) in the U.K.
Namely: (paraphrased) until our knowledge about the science (of health hazards) dictates otherwise -- **local communities should have FULL control over the decisions controlling the siting of cell phone masts**
in their communities!!! (Can you folks "out there" waging your local battles on this issue ... imagine such ... in the U.S.....????!!)
As I read it, this policy would even allow the local communities to have control over the all important question of exposure "standards.".....??!!
How utterly different from the philosophy that pervades the U.S.!!!!
In the U.S. (regardless of which political party might be in power), the OPPOSITE assumption is made: **NO ACTION WILL BE TAKEN TO CONTROL the HAZARD** until the science is "conclusive."....... Madness!!!!
You will enjoy reading the following..... In this message, I am forwarding only the first half of the document -- but I will place the entire document on my website, filed under "Law/Legal".....
Cheerio...... (Folks, when we get something like this -- I feel that we ARE making progress.......)
Roy Beavers (EMFguru) roy@emfguru.com
.....It is better to light a single candle than to curse the darkness.....
NEW!!! Website... http://emfguru.com
...................People are more important than profits.................
DO YOU KNOW OF OTHERS WHO SHOULD BE ON THIS LIST???
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MOBILE PHONE MASTS: A COMMON SENSE APPROACH
(Brief detailing Conservative policy on mobile phone masts. 1 March 2000.)
Contents:
BACKGROUND
THE BLUE-GREEN AGENDA
SEVEN COMMON SENSE PROPOSALS
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SUMMARY
"Key Points"
Public Concern: There are strong concerns among the public about the location of mobile phone masts in terms of their impact on the visual environment and possible adverse health effects.
Local Solutions to Local Problems: We propose to give local communities a greater say over mast planning decisions and reform planning policy guidance on this issue. We have developed seven common sense solutions:
1. Planning guidance policy should be redrafted to take environmental and safety concerns into account.
2. Local communities should have a greater say on mast developments in or near areas of environmental importance.
3. Local communities should be allowed to question mast developments near schools, hospitals and residential buildings.
4. Local authorities must be better informed about all future mast developments to encourage coordinated development.
5. We will ensure mobile phone operators share masts to reduce demand for new masts.
6. We will investigate the viability of cross-network roaming within the United Kingdom, reducing demand for new masts in sparsely populated areas.
7. We will issue new guidelines over what is an acceptable means for blending masts into the local environment.
BACKGROUND
"Key Points"
The Problem with Mast Developments: The erection of mobile phone masts is causing considerable concern in many parts of the country. There is a presumption in favour of development inherent in the current planning
system which overrides environmental concerns. Moreover, measures to enforce environmental restrictions are weak, outdated and poorly enforced.
When legislation was introduced to encourage the fast-track development of the industry, the sheer numbers of masts that would result were not anticipated. Mobile phone masts can damage the visual environment; there
are also real concerns over health risks from masts.
Importance of Mobile Phones: Nonetheless, the mobile telecommunications industry is an important one, with a turnover of £6 billion and providing services to 24 million users.
Conservatives want to see a competitive industry with a comprehensive infrastructure. Yet Conservatives believe that environmental and commercial concerns do not have to be in conflict, if we take a common sense approach.
Local Solutions to Local Problems: Conservatives believe that local communities should have a greater say over issues which affect them. Conservatives have already proposed to reform the planning process to make it easier and more transparent. We also want to give local communities a greater say over new housing developments.
We believe that local communities will welcome the opportunity to have a greater say over where masts are located.
Need for Action: With new licences being negotiated for the next generation of mobile phone networks, as well as new evidence over possible health risks, it is vital that action is taken now. The new networks could result in up to 100,000 new masts across the countryside.
Conservatives want to protect our visual environment and respond to concerns over public safety. Correspondingly, we have developed common sense solutions to tackle these issues.
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