PLANS for a phone mast at the gateway to Wildwood have sparked fears for the safety of youngsters at nearby schools.
Everything Everywhere UK Ltd and H3G UK Ltd have submitted an application to install a 17.5 metre high telecommunications mast with a dish and associated ground equipment on land at Wildwood Drive.
If approved, the mast would be sited next to the Wildwood Co-op car park, to the west of Wildwood Drive and eight metres north of its junction with the A34 Cannock Road.
In the application submitted to Stafford Borough Council it was stated “there are no schools in close proximity to the site”.
But Wildwood residents objecting to the plans have said it would be close to Marshlands Special School, Barnfields Primary School and Wildwood Playgroup and create an unwelcome view at the entrance to the estate.
The plan has been called in for discussion by Stafford Borough Council’s planning committee by local councillor John Francis because of the visual impact and affect on local schools.
One objector, Lucy Coghlan, said: “Apart from being an eyesore, serious consideration has to be given to the close proximity to Barnfields School and Marshlands Special School. Due to the relative recent increase in this type of mast and the radiation it emits, there has been no adequate scientific experiments over a period of time to establish the long-term harm to humans - especially those of a young age being exposed to such rays.
“Do we really want to gamble with our children’s health and if yes, are you to be held responsible if it is later proved that such radiation from these masts causes health issues?” The mast would also be less than 50 metres from Winchester Court, a street for retired and older residents.
Maureen Lowe of Winchester Court said: “I am objecting to the visibility of the mast and the emissions. It is the gateway to Wildwood, it is going to affect the whole of the estate.” But the applicants have said the new mast is needed to replace the existing one at the former Staffordshire Police headquarters in Cannock Road, which is being decommissioned as part of the site’s redevelopment.
The proposed site has been “carefully selected”, the applicants said, and is “extremely wellshielded” having been set against a backdrop of mature trees. The 17.5m mast is the minimum height that can provide the required coverage, the applicants added.
