Concern over phone mast plan

1:08pm Tuesday 1st July 2008

A MOBILE phone mast could go up on the edge of Didcot despite residents' concerns over health.

Phone company Vodafone want to put up a ten-metre telegraph pole with three shrouded antennas just off the Wantage Road, west of the Slade Road entrance.

Homeowners living nearby said it would be an eyesore and some raised concerns about the possible health effects. Research into the health risks of masts varies, but there has been concern about exposure to radio frequency radiation. Other research has highlighted cancer clusters and other medical problems near masts.

Ken Mills, 65, of Slade Road, said: "It will be an eyesore and we still don't know about the possible health hazards. I am sure a lot of people will be angry about it when they find out."

Fellow pensioner Peter Wilkes, also of Slade Road, said: "I don't want it, it's too near the houses."

Pensioner Lilian Roberts, another Slade Road resident, said: "I'm not really worried about it. It's going to be an eyesore but you can't do anything about it." Adrienne Neal, 64, also of Slade Road, said: "It will be a concern if my grandson comes round because he likes to play in the garden, but we haven't heard much about it."

A phone company spokesman said: "The proposed Vodafone radio base station at Wantage Road, Didcot, is required to improve the 3G coverage in the area to our customers.

"This location was chosen following consideration of 16 other sites as it provides a backdrop of street furniture that the proposed timber telegraph pole supporting structure will not be visually intrusive.

"We have consulted the local planning authority and two ward councillors. We received support for the chosen location from one councillor and did not receive a response from the other."

The application is expected to be considered by district council planners later this month.