MP raises concerns over North Walsham Police Station masts

5.15.58pm GMT Wed 25th Feb 2004

North Norfolk MP Norman Lamb has today taken up concerns over the proposed TETRA radiocommunications system at North Walsham Police Station.

This follows reports from constituents saying that engineers from O2 Airwave have installed the TETRA equipment on the existing mast at the station, in spite of the fact that planning permission for the additional equipment was rejected by North Norfolk District Council on 19 February.

"I have written to O2 and the District Council," said Mr Lamb. "What appears to have happened is that the company has attempted to avoid the need for planning permission by adapting an existing mast. This does not address the health concerns of local residents, which have previously been highlighted by Councillors Pat Ford and Virginia Gay.

"I gather that a Council planning officer has been there to investigate what work has been done, and that they are looking into the matter. However, residents were worried about this equipment being erected, and they will have thought that the matter had been concluded when the District Council Joint Committee voted to reject the application.

"O2 have recently done exactly the same thing at a site in West Sussex, which serves to increase my concerns. This makes a mockery of the planning process."