1-12-2000
Dear Bishop John,
May we draw your attention to the article in the Knaresborough Post saying that Harrogate Borough Council Leader, Geoff Webber, is putting a motion for debate in the Council on Monday 4th Dec. The motion is “Due to unresolved public concern over the effects of low level microwave radiation, this council will not lease land or property in its ownership for the purpose of the erection of commercial telecommunications masts in any location where there is a perceived health risk to the public.” He urges private landowners to do the same. He also states “the government have not given us the teeth in planning to limit their [masts, etc.] proliferation.”
We have also been informed that The Church of the Holy Trinity have withdrawn their planning application for the antennae and are going ahead under their “ecclesiastical rights,” however, they still need planning permission to replace the louvres with plastic. Can you tell us what these “rights” are?
We are members of the United Reformed Church and find it difficult to believe the extent to which the churchwardens can disregard the views of its Ministers and parishioners. In our church no decision can be made without a vote by the church- and elders-meetings. Is the Church of England aware that we live in a democracy? Just because the church is a private landowner it does not have the right to do as it likes, regardless of public safety and opinion.
We hope that you have some authority over these churchwardens and can see your way to intervening in this matter.
Yours sincerely
cc. Mr. P. Arundel, Ripon Diocese Secretary.
