A Battersea school, a Greek Orthodox church, ward councillors and the town's MP have all joined forces to condemn a decision to start work on the construction of a mobile phone mast.

Work has started to erect an 11-metre Orange mast, close to John Burns Primary School and St Nectarios Church in Wycliffe Road, despite residents' claims they knew nothing about it.

Orange gained permission back in February 2000 and the company says the huge delay in starting work is down to problems with the initial earthwork preparation.

However, new Department of Transport, Local Government and the Regions guidelines published in August state that school governors must be consulted on new proposals for masts near schools.

Battersea MP Martin Linton, who attended a public meeting on the issue, has written to Orange about the plans.

He said: "If Orange has confidence in its equipment, why not re-apply for permission and this time seek the views of local residents and school governors?"

Orange says that the timing of the initial application allows it to proceed with the plan and referred to the independent report chaired by Sir William Stewart on the possible health risks.

A spokesman said: "Orange acknowledges public concern regarding the siting of transmitters on buildings such as schools, but is encouraged by the Stewart Report's clear conclusion that the balance of evidence does not indicate that there is a general risk to the health of people living or working near to transmitter sites."

But Maura Keady, headteacher at John Burns, was unconvinced.

She said: "I understand from the Stewart report that the effects on health are inconclusive. At the end of the day the children's health has to come first."

Shaftesbury ward councillor James Cousins said: "It is unfortunate that the Government's guidelines were not made retrospective on this."

December 28, 2001 09:30