Loughton & Buckhurst Hill
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LOUGHTON: School phone mast plan sparks outrage
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| Teacher/governor Graham Sandberg and headteacher Sandra Winter, pictured by the current Orange phone mast |
A PLAN by mobile phone giant Orange to build a radio base station next door to a school has sparked outrage.
Sandra Winter, head teacher at Oakview School in Whitehills Road, Loughton, said it was "absolutely ridiculous" to even consider building the mast next to her school's grounds.
Orange's original application to build the station - which includes a 12m freestanding column, three sectored antennas, one transmission dish, and four equipment cabinets - next to the school's playing field has been refused by officers from the district council, but the company has suggested it will appeal the decision.
Mrs Winter said: "I'm extremely against it. I don't want it anywhere near the school. I understand it has to go somewhere, but I don't think they should put it anywhere where it's a risk to schools. We are part of the healthy school's scheme. To put a mast anywhere near our school seems absolutely ridiculous."
She added: "The information that came from Orange was there are no proven risks to health. But there is always the potential of risk and there are a lot of people in the local area who complained. Also, it's an eyesore."
Orange has said the new mast is necessary because a current one on the school grounds, which was constructed under an agreement when the previous head teacher was there, could soon be removed.
Mrs Winter said: "We are campaigning to get rid of that. It puts parents off coming here when they see it. The governing body are working with Essex. We are told it could take 12 months. I definitely would like to get rid of it."
The school's ward councillor John Markham has said he will also campaign against a base station.
He said: "I think with these masts we have to consider things carefully. I'm not happy about the health risks - it's the first thing people think about.
"It's always a worry when there are children involved."
Orange spokesman Martin Grey confirmed to the Guardian his company was likely to ask the Planning Inspectorate for a review of the application's refusal.
He said: "The proposal would be similar to that used across the country and would rest against a backdrop of mature trees; this would limit the visual intrusion."
He added: "There have now been more than 30 expert scientific reviews published during the past eight years in the UK and around the globe, including by the World Health Organisation.
"The independent reviews have found no adverse health effects caused by mobile phone technologies operating within stringent international guidelines."
10:28am Thursday 17th April 2008
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CommentPosted by: Mr Khalid, walthamstow on 10:34am Thu 17 Apr 08
is meybe nededed it masted becose haveded no siganal near to the scool and meybe if chidren wanteded colled the parent no get siganal and canted get trogh and no pick up on the time
is meybe nededed it masted becose haveded no siganal near to the scool and meybe if chidren wanteded colled the parent no get siganal and canted get trogh and no pick up on the time
Posted by: J Elliott, Bristol on 12:23pm Thu 17 Apr 08
Orange spokesman Martin Grey is simply not telling the truth. Over 1000 independent studies, linking phone mast electro magnetic radiation with serious ill health including cancer, confirm that phone masts should not be sited within 350 metres of schools or housing. Numerous studies have proved that melatonin, the cancer fighting hormone, is suppressed by this pulsing radiation. That's why the cancer clusters continue to increase in the vicinity of phone masts. Phone operators, like Mr Grey, dismiss such research, alleging that their own studies suggests no health risk. However last October the national press revealed that T-Mobile covered up the damaging results of their own research. The Ecolog Institute, a research organisation which examines the health effects of mobile phones, was commissioned by T-Mobile to investigate the possible health risks of mobile phone masts. The 2003 Ecolog report confirmed:
[quote]quote[/quote] 'Given the results of the present epidemiological studies, it can be concluded that electromagnetic fields with frequencies in the mobile telecommunications range do play a role in the development of cancer. This is particularly notable for tumours of the central nervous system.[quote]quote[/quote] '
Placing masts near schools is in contravention of the recommendations of the Stewart Report, which advised the government, but which the government is failing to put into practice.
This is a time bomb which the telecoms industry is trying to obscure, just like the tobacco industry did, and unless the public starts to stand up for their own health, we will see a lot of deaths before they eventually have to admit the damage this technology is causing. Many of us are minimising our use of mobile and cordless phones, and removing wifi and other wireless technology so as to reduce our risks, despite the inconvenience, because the health risks are so significant.
Orange spokesman Martin Grey is simply not telling the truth. Over 1000 independent studies, linking phone mast electro magnetic radiation with serious ill health including cancer, confirm that phone masts should not be sited within 350 metres of schools or housing. Numerous studies have proved that melatonin, the cancer fighting hormone, is suppressed by this pulsing radiation. That's why the cancer clusters continue to increase in the vicinity of phone masts. Phone operators, like Mr Grey, dismiss such research, alleging that their own studies suggests no health risk. However last October the national press revealed that T-Mobile covered up the damaging results of their own research. The Ecolog Institute, a research organisation which examines the health effects of mobile phones, was commissioned by T-Mobile to investigate the possible health risks of mobile phone masts. The 2003 Ecolog report confirmed:
quote
'Given the results of the present epidemiological studies, it can be concluded that electromagnetic fields with frequencies in the mobile telecommunications range do play a role in the development of cancer. This is particularly notable for tumours of the central nervous system.
quote
'
Placing masts near schools is in contravention of the recommendations of the Stewart Report, which advised the government, but which the government is failing to put into practice.
This is a time bomb which the telecoms industry is trying to obscure, just like the tobacco industry did, and unless the public starts to stand up for their own health, we will see a lot of deaths before they eventually have to admit the damage this technology is causing. Many of us are minimising our use of mobile and cordless phones, and removing wifi and other wireless technology so as to reduce our risks, despite the inconvenience, because the health risks are so significant.
Posted by: joe schmoo, elsewhere on 2:10pm Thu 17 Apr 08
[quote][bold]Mr Khalid[/bold] wrote:
is meybe nededed it masted becose haveded no siganal near to the scool and meybe if chidren wanteded colled the parent no get siganal and canted get trogh and no pick up on the time[/quote] havent you got any wife beating councillors to vote for you idiot.
Mr Khalid wrote:
is meybe nededed it masted becose haveded no siganal near to the scool and meybe if chidren wanteded colled the parent no get siganal and canted get trogh and no pick up on the time
havent you got any wife beating councillors to vote for you idiot.
Posted by: Mrs Khalid, walthamstow on 5:44pm Thu 17 Apr 08
Does that mean we've got to get rid of our mobile phones my darling?
Does that mean we've got to get rid of our mobile phones my darling?
Posted by: Neil Payne, Loughton, Essex on 8:26pm Thu 17 Apr 08
Who cares!
I bet most of the kids at the school have mobiles, so their doing themselves harm anyway. This 'base station' won't be as harmful to the children as using a mobile!!!
Who cares!
I bet most of the kids at the school have mobiles, so their doing themselves harm anyway. This 'base station' won't be as harmful to the children as using a mobile!!!
Posted by: andrea, chigwell on 1:52pm Fri 18 Apr 08
My son goes to this school and it is a special needs school so why would they need mobiles people like you are just ignorant and dont know what you are talking about you probably dont have kids anyway.
My son goes to this school and it is a special needs school so why would they need mobiles people like you are just ignorant and dont know what you are talking about you probably dont have kids anyway.
Posted by: Ann, West Midlands on 2:09pm Fri 18 Apr 08
Ther is lots of scientific evidence proving that living near low level microwave radiation eg.(masts) can cause health problems.
Promote the precautionary approach a d not place masts near schools' hospitals or our homes. READ THE RESEARCH PLEASE.
Ther is lots of scientific evidence proving that living near low level microwave radiation eg.(masts) can cause health problems.
Promote the precautionary approach a d not place masts near schools' hospitals or our homes. READ THE RESEARCH PLEASE.
Posted by: Neil Payne, Loughton, Essex on 3:49pm Fri 18 Apr 08
[quote][bold]andrea[/bold] wrote:
My son goes to this school and it is a special needs school so why would they need mobiles people like you are just ignorant and dont know what you are talking about you probably dont have kids anyway.[/quote] Thank you for a most helpful and polite comment!
I really don't see the argument here, as Orange only want to replace an existing 'base station' that is already there.
Surely the protests should have been made when Orange wanted to put the orignal 'base station' up?
andrea wrote:
My son goes to this school and it is a special needs school so why would they need mobiles people like you are just ignorant and dont know what you are talking about you probably dont have kids anyway.
Thank you for a most helpful and polite comment!
I really don't see the argument here, as Orange only want to replace an existing 'base station' that is already there.
Surely the protests should have been made when Orange wanted to put the orignal 'base station' up?
Posted by: Neil Payne, Loughton, Essex on 3:51pm Fri 18 Apr 08
[quote][bold]Ann[/bold] wrote:
Ther is lots of scientific evidence proving that living near low level microwave radiation eg.(masts) can cause health problems. Promote the precautionary approach a d not place masts near schools' hospitals or our homes. READ THE RESEARCH PLEASE. [/quote] Yes just like Wi-Fi networks and TETRA networks are bad for you, unfortunaley most people don't care they like the benifits they bring.
I won't be for some years till we see the true health problems these things cause and the people will be carying out to Government for compensation!
Ann wrote:
Ther is lots of scientific evidence proving that living near low level microwave radiation eg.(masts) can cause health problems. Promote the precautionary approach a d not place masts near schools' hospitals or our homes. READ THE RESEARCH PLEASE.
Yes just like Wi-Fi networks and TETRA networks are bad for you, unfortunaley most people don't care they like the benifits they bring.
I won't be for some years till we see the true health problems these things cause and the people will be carying out to Government for compensation!
Posted by: Mr Codgers, Snaresbrook on 5:36pm Fri 18 Apr 08
You do not need one of these masts in Loughton as half of the kids are brain dead already, wandering around town like gormless oafs. It will only make them worse. They are given too much money by their rich parents and spend it all on drink and drugs. Add a bit of radiation and they then go totally bonkers and break bust stands up and write on walls.
You do not need one of these masts in Loughton as half of the kids are brain dead already, wandering around town like gormless oafs. It will only make them worse. They are given too much money by their rich parents and spend it all on drink and drugs. Add a bit of radiation and they then go totally bonkers and break bust stands up and write on walls.
Posted by: Tina Martin, Loughton on 6:18pm Fri 18 Apr 08
[quote][bold]Mr Codgers[/bold] wrote:
You do not need one of these masts in Loughton as half of the kids are brain dead already, wandering around town like gormless oafs. It will only make them worse. They are given too much money by their rich parents and spend it all on drink and drugs. Add a bit of radiation and they then go totally bonkers and break bust stands up and write on walls.[/quote] I live in Loughton and have always found this image of Loughton being “rich” like somewhere in Cheshire to be false. Yes the area has money, but isn’t that ‘rich’ or ‘posh’.
It’s just an image that ‘new comers’ like to keep up to make out like they’ve made it in the world and moved to a rich area.
I would personally areas like Theydon Bois have a lot more money, they just don’t show it off with big 4x4 vehicles.
Mr Codgers wrote:
You do not need one of these masts in Loughton as half of the kids are brain dead already, wandering around town like gormless oafs. It will only make them worse. They are given too much money by their rich parents and spend it all on drink and drugs. Add a bit of radiation and they then go totally bonkers and break bust stands up and write on walls.
I live in Loughton and have always found this image of Loughton being “rich” like somewhere in Cheshire to be false. Yes the area has money, but isn’t that ‘rich’ or ‘posh’.
It’s just an image that ‘new comers’ like to keep up to make out like they’ve made it in the world and moved to a rich area.
I would personally areas like Theydon Bois have a lot more money, they just don’t show it off with big 4x4 vehicles.
Posted by: clive shepherd, devon on 4:30pm Sun 20 Apr 08
[quote][bold]Tina Martin[/bold] wrote:
[quote][bold]Mr Codgers[/bold] wrote: You do not need one of these masts in Loughton as half of the kids are brain dead already, wandering around town like gormless oafs. It will only make them worse. They are given too much money by their rich parents and spend it all on drink and drugs. Add a bit of radiation and they then go totally bonkers and break bust stands up and write on walls.[/quote] I live in Loughton and have always found this image of Loughton being “rich” like somewhere in Cheshire to be false. Yes the area has money, but isn’t that ‘rich’ or ‘posh’. It’s just an image that ‘new comers’ like to keep up to make out like they’ve made it in the world and moved to a rich area. I would personally areas like Theydon Bois have a lot more money, they just don’t show it off with big 4x4 vehicles.[/quote] I think Mr Codgers is spot on.
Tina Martin wrote:
Mr Codgers wrote: You do not need one of these masts in Loughton as half of the kids are brain dead already, wandering around town like gormless oafs. It will only make them worse. They are given too much money by their rich parents and spend it all on drink and drugs. Add a bit of radiation and they then go totally bonkers and break bust stands up and write on walls.
I live in Loughton and have always found this image of Loughton being “rich” like somewhere in Cheshire to be false. Yes the area has money, but isn’t that ‘rich’ or ‘posh’. It’s just an image that ‘new comers’ like to keep up to make out like they’ve made it in the world and moved to a rich area. I would personally areas like Theydon Bois have a lot more money, they just don’t show it off with big 4x4 vehicles.
I think Mr Codgers is spot on.
Posted by: FurQ, Loughton on 2:09am Tue 24 Jun 08
To anyone who believes this kind of ill-informed tripe, have a read of
http://www.snopes.co
m/science/cookegg.as
p
AND/OR
http://www.badscienc
e.net/?p=418
Granted, the last issue is not specifically phone related, but on the back of weasel words like 'thousands of studies show' (perhaps citing one, other than the methodologically suspect Ecolog report, would help - one verifiable sample is bad statistics) I feel it's relevant. On the subject of suggested reading: anecdotal evidence just doesn't cut it and advocates of 'common sense' as well as the famed Precautionary Principle could do a lot worse than read The March of Unreason. Throwing up strawmen like the tobacco industry comparison is disingenuous and stifles legitimate debate. Next in the list of logical fallacies: Reductio ad Hitlerum? Oh, hold on, I see we're moving on to ad-hominem attacks on kids themselves. Aint life grand?
To anyone who believes this kind of ill-informed tripe, have a read of
http://www.snopes.co
m/science/cookegg.as
p
AND/OR
http://www.badscienc
e.net/?p=418
Granted, the last issue is not specifically phone related, but on the back of weasel words like 'thousands of studies show' (perhaps citing one, other than the methodologically suspect Ecolog report, would help - one verifiable sample is bad statistics) I feel it's relevant. On the subject of suggested reading: anecdotal evidence just doesn't cut it and advocates of 'common sense' as well as the famed Precautionary Principle could do a lot worse than read The March of Unreason. Throwing up strawmen like the tobacco industry comparison is disingenuous and stifles legitimate debate. Next in the list of logical fallacies: Reductio ad Hitlerum? Oh, hold on, I see we're moving on to ad-hominem attacks on kids themselves. Aint life grand?
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