Council publishes mobile phone mast plans after Lib Dem pressure

7.07.00pm GMT Fri 3rd Mar 2006

Bournemouth Council published mobile phone operator plans for new masts this week on the council's web site. Lib Dem councillors had pressed for this information to be made available, adding their voice to those of local people who wanted access to the plans.

Councillor Andrew Garratt says:

"This is good news for residents who will be able to check what is planned in their area.

"But mobile phone operators still have a lot of freedom in siting masts. Under current planning laws the council is often powerless to stop masts from being put up.

"We now need Parliament to change the law so that councils have greater control over what mobile phone operators are allowed to do. A Bill now going through Parliament would do this, as long as it gets enough support. The Liberal Democrats are calling on both Bournemouth's Conservative MPs to vote for this new law."

*** The current and proposed locations can be found via the council's web site on http://www.bournemouth.gov.uk and then linking through to the information. Or you can use the special link we've created to go directly to the page: http://tinyurl.com/qw4ms

The page also includes a link to a Government site (http://www.sitefinder.radio.gov.uk/) on which you can see existing masts near where you live.