Students in fight against phone mast
STUDENTS at Newmarket College have started their own fight against a controversial mobile phone mast put up near the school.
Head boy Tristan Pithers launched a petition on Monday in protest at the 30ft mast, which went up in Exning Road in February following a council blunder.
More than 100 pupils and staff have already signed the petition, which will eventually be sent to Forest Heath Council and mast operator 02 urging them to take it down.
"We believe we can get the majority of the school behind it," said 17-year-old sixth-former Tristan. "The teachers share our concerns and we are determined to get it taken down."
The mast was put up after Forest Heath Council failed to respond to a planning application within a designated 56-day period, prompting scores of complaints.
Council bosses subsequently admitted the mistake, but claimed the situation was "irretrievable".
To help their cause, pupils have collected scientific research highlighting the potential dangers that masts pose to children's health.
It was sent to the college by Lowe's Wong Infant School in Southwell, Nottingham, which fought a similar 02 phone mast.
"It is something that affects the whole town as people are concerned about the welfare of their children," said Tristan.
"We are getting quite a few annoyed people on our side when we tell them about it, especially because of the muck-up with the council."
The students have contacted Newmarket MP Richard Spring as well as Suffolk County Council chairman Cllr Bill Sadler, who is a school governor.
Assistant headteacher Mick Jefferys, who is also a town councillor, said he was impressed at the way pupils had gone about their protest.
"Like the rest of the town, everyone at the school is astonished that this mast could have been put up because of a council blunder," he said.
"The students have taken this up vigorously and are hoping to put pressure on 02."
Jim Stevenson, community liaison manager for the mobile phone company, said representatives from the firm were prepared to visit Newmarket to talk to residents once it had seen the petition.
The matter is also due to be discussed again tonight at an extraordinary council meeting at Forest Heath Council's offices in Mildenhall, following a question raised by town councillor Warwick Hirst.
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Saturday 04 February 2012
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