Relaxation of Mobile Phone Mast moratorium in Sefton will help ensure that masts are not placed too close to schools (Southport Liberal Democrats)

Southport Liberal Democrats <info@southportlibdems.org.uk>

Relaxation of Mobile Phone Mast moratorium in Sefton will help ensure that masts are not placed too close to schools

September 1, 2009 12:55 PM

Tony Robertson

Cllr. Tony Robertson the Lib Dem Leader on Sefton Council says that he hopes that the Council will agree to relax the presently rigid mobile mast moratorium when it debates the matter on Thursday of this week.

Says Tony "I view the present moratorium, which forbids any masts being erected on Council land, as a bit like the Dangerous Dogs Act in that it was well intended but rushed through when the mobile masts controversy was at its height. The intension then was to send out a message to reassure the Borough's diverse communities who were up in arms about masts being sited in sensitive areas. However, I believe that with the benefit of hindsight the moratorium was too strictly drafted and it can stand in the way of the most sensible site for a mast being found.

"Of course, I want masts as far away from schools and children's play areas as possible and relaxing the present moratorium can help in that aim. For example, if the Council owns a piece of land within an area where a mast is going to be sited and that piece of land is the one furthest away from schools, play areas and housing it would seem sensible to consider that site rather then exclude it as is presently the case. Indeed, the present rules can force a mast to be erected closer to such sensitive areas and that can't be right.

"All I am looking for is a little common sense in how we take this matter forward in future, its time to change to a more flexible and sensible policy."