Communities unite to fend off telephone mast scheme

More than 300 residents in Croxdale and Tudhoe have signed a petition against a siting of the mast between the two villages.

Sedgefield Borough Council has received a planning application from Hutchison 3G to erect a lattice tower, antennas and cabin in Chair Lane.

Residents have launched a campaign with a petition in Tudhoe post office and The Daleside Arms, Croxdale, and have sent the local authority letters urging councillors to refuse permission.

Families are concerned about the potential safety risks associated with telephone masts, particularly when located close to electricity pylons as the Chair Lane site would be.

Tracy Serajian, from Tudhoe, said: "We want people to know about the plans so they have the chance to object by the end of the week. We are worried about health risks to residents, pupils of two primary schools nearby, bat colonies and pigeons in lofts nearby."

She is urging people who are against the proposal to support the campaign by writing letters of protest to the borough council.

Sandra Patterson, of The Daleside Arms, Croxdale, said: "If there is the slightest risk to people's health, these masts should be as far away as possible from houses and schools.

"Lots of people have gone out of their way to join our protest, which shows the strength of feeling here."

John Kelly, a member of Croxdale and Hett Parish Council, which has objected to the plan, said: "I am concerned because the site is just 200m from people's homes and on a very popular country track which is well used by walkers and cyclists, who do not want their view spoiled by this mast."

Hutchison 3G spokesman Ben Strutt said: "As demand for the latest video and camera mobile phones increases, we need to erect more masts in the North-East.

"It takes months of research and careful consideration to chose a potential site."

He said: "We do take the findings of safety reports very seriously when looking at locations."