A New Malden resident has teed off his opposition to an application for three 15 metre telephone masts going on Malden Golf Clubs clubhouse roof.

Joe Patten, from Traps Lane, New Malden, is determined to stop the plans submitted by telecommunications giant, Vodafone.

First blood was drawn when a petition, signed by 87 residents, was submitted to Kingston Council at Tuesday nights meeting.

Mr Patten said: "I am particularly concerned about this application because of the health risks.

"The Governments stance at the moment is that the risks cannot be proven so the masts go up. It would be a lot more sensible not to put them up until peoples fears can be put to rest."

But Kingston Council is unable to refuse mast applications for health reasons.

The headmaster of Coombe Girls School, Carol Campbell, has also written to the council voicing her concerns, as has a professor from the University of Kent.

Kingston Council is also taking steps to stop applications in sensitive areas from going through by allocating specific sites for which masts can be built.

It is hoped that by doing this the council can protect sites near schools and hospitals from mast developments.

Mr Patten said: "I have a lot of residents behind me.

"Putting one mast on the golf club is unacceptable but three just seems ridiculous. They will be 80 feet in the air when you take the roof into account. "

Vodafone was not available for comment.

December 14, 2001 15:30