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Battle lines are drawn to stop masts in Romiley
Peter Devine25/10/2006
RESIDENTS in Romiley are gearing-up for the mother of all battles, to prevent two high profile telecommunications masts being built in their midst in the village centre.
The one causing most controversy is the planned siting by Orange of a near 40 ft mast next to Romiley Forum, Compstall Road, and less than 100 metres from Romiley Primary School.
The second one is a 56 ft mast by 02 on land owned by Network Rail at Romiley Railway Station. Both decisions, which are being recommended by Stockport Council officials for approval, will be made on Tuesday by Werneth Area Committee.
As fury mounts in the village at what is seen by many villagers as a direct assault on Romiley, campaigners have the support of the head of Romiley Primary, John Furse, who reflected the concerns about the health and well-being of pupils in a letter to Orange bosses.
Mr Furse wrote: "My greater concern is regarding the health and safety of children, and their exposure to radiation.
"By your own admission there is evidence to suggest that there may be biological effects occurring at exposure levels below the guidelines and our understanding of the effects are so limited as to justify a precautionary approach.
"It is my belief that the jury is still very much out on the potential effects of radiation. I would want guarantees from Orange that the health of my 450 children would not be adversely affected before I would support this proposal."
Darren Stannage, the manager of the Forum-based NK Theatre Arts charity, warned the installation of the Orange mast could force the closure of the theatre.
He said: "Along with the obvious health concerns, there is a genuine concern for the future if this application gets approved and by the stigma attached to having a mast so close.
"We also have so much by way of radio and audio equipment and if there was any interference from the mast, it would be catastrophic for us and consequently put our very existence and the long term future of the Forum in jeopardy."
Lynne McGarty, the chairman of Bredbury and Romiley Community Association and a representative of Romiley Against Masts said: "These are applications eleven and twelve in less than three years from firms seeking to put up these masts in Romiley.
"In that time, we have had 5,000 objections from residents. We cannot understand why, when there is such a vast amount of opposition from the people of Romiley, we keep getting harassed in this way.
"To plan a mast in the heart of the community shows a total disregard for Romiley residents. We object to the one on Compstall Road because it is too close to the school and the one at the railway station on the grounds of visual amenity."
The meeting starts at 6 pm at the Ada Kay Centre, off Annable Road, Lower Bredbury.
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27/10/2006 at 09:50
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