Four letters published in Knaresborough Post 9-2-01
LETTER 1
Windsor Lane resident
I cannot understand why Knaresborough Town Council rejected the Vodafone application for a temporary mast on Manse Matador saying it was too close to a residential area and yet they approved the mast in the tower of Holy Trinity Church. The area around the church is heavily populated and the local residents have had to fight the application with no support from the Council. Other masts have been put up in the town against the wishes of the people living close by. The one on the Fire Station is only a few metres from some houses. If it is a case of “not in my backyard,” then the Council should be ashamed to represent the people who voted them into office.
There are many places around the outskirts of Knaresborough where masts could be put which would provide the coverage yet be away from ALL residential areas.
LETTER 2
Hope Street resident
When reading your article last week, “No support for mast plan”, I could not believe that Knaresborough Town Council felt Hambleton Grove was too close to a residential area. What do they think Gracious St. and Windsor Lane are? They willingly passed the Vodafone mast in Holy Trinity Church spire. Just because a mast is not obvious, it is not less of a health risk. Perhaps if one or two Councillors lived in this part of town the proposal would not have received the support it did.
If Vodafone can manage with a mast sited at St. James’ Park for 6 months, there is no reason why it could not be there permanently. It would be well away from housing. If people want mobile phones, they should be prepared to have the masts as well. We are all used to electricity pylons and telegragh poles.
It is time Knaresborough Town Council considered public health. People have the choice to use mobile phones but no choice over suffering permanent radiation from masts on their doorsteps. There are already antennas on the Police Station, the B.T. telephone exchange, and the Fire Station, which are very close to people’s houses. The evidence is there if Councillors choose to look at it.
LETTER 3
Stockdale Close resident.
I WISH to express my concerns regarding the proposed mobile phone mast installation at Holy Trinity Church. I am strongly opposed to this proposal on several grounds. Firstly, I live within a close proximity to the church and would probably be within the dangerous level of radiation emitted from the mast as outlined in the government-commissioned Stewart Report. .As yet there is no conclusive scientific evidence that says there is no danger to human health. Overhead pylons were thought to be safe and there are now increasing health concerns for people living, near them. I would suggest that the reason Harrogate Borough Council has restricted the siting of masts on their land is because of health concerns from local residents, Not only am I concerned for my own health, but there are young families living within this area and I do feel the church in particular should consider their safety, Surely the church would not risk the health of local residents for a sum of money from a mobile phone company. I have a mobile phone myself and have experienced areas in Knaresborough where reception is poor, but I do not feel that these masts should be sited in residential areas. I cannot see that having a mobile phone mast near one's house is going to enhance its value - just the opposite because of health grounds. Finally I believe that a public meeting should be held so that local residents, like myself, can make our concerns known to the church and the local council
LETTER 4
Windsor Lane resident
Isn't it amazing that Knaresborough Town Council have not supported an application by Vodafone Ltd to site a temporary telecommunication mast at Manse Matador on Hambleton Grove as it was too close to a residential area, which is no more residential than Windsor Lane. Yet they supported work to be done to house a permanent mast in Holy Trinity Church spire because of the present safety guidelines. So why Is It that Harrogate Borough Council have brought in a policy restricting sitings of masts on their own land? Surely we should adhere to the side of caution. Maybe Vodafone should seriously think about housing this mast permanently at St James Park, away from residential areas.
