D.8 Anti Mobile Phone Mast Campaign Begins

Residents oppose planning application for mast

Residents living close to a new apartment complex on Basin Lane in the south west inner city area of Dublin came together tonight(22 Oct 2008) to attend a public meeting organised by People Before Profit to discuss the health implications to the public posed by the installation of mobile phone masts in areas of dense population.

The meeting heard reports from residents of Canal Bank who had recently been succesful in an objection to Dublin City Council which they lodged against a planning application for the instalation of a mobile phone mast and a neon advertisment sign.Dublin City Council had cited a concern for the public health as grounds for accepting objections and refusing permission to the applicant.Objecting residents gave an account of being obstructed from seeing the actual site notice for several weeks in advance of their registering their objection.They also expressed anger that the applicant had lodged an appeal to overturn the Local Authority decision to An Bord Pleanala.

Several speakers gave their accounts of their experiences as regards the negative effects on their health and in particular their childrens health as a consequence of living close to mobile phone masts.Reports were also given from research conducted by world reknowned experts that identified children as being most vulnerable.The building proposed to home the mast is only metres away from several schools and on the entrance of a pedestrian walkway used by dozens of children daily.Ironically due to the current property market down turn the vacant apartments have recently been advertised as possible student accomodation.

Canal Bank and Basin Lane residents have vowed to fight on and are formulating an objection the the appeal application to An Bord Pleanala.This decision was welcomed and applauded by all present and residents from surrounding areas offered their support and assistance.In the meantime it was proposed that a serious of protests would be arranged to highlight the issue and show solidarity to the residents in close proximity to the proposed site.