MORE than 100 people have signed an online petition opposing a planned phone mast near Frith Youth Centre in Bussage.

Last week plans were approved by Stroud District Council to install a new phone mast behind the youth centre in Bussage - despite objections.

The controversial phone mast was criticised for being too close to the youth centre and also there were complaints that it was an ‘eyesore’ and would damage an ‘area of outstanding natural beauty’.

But the recent petition focuses on concerns over how safe it is to have a phone mast near the youth centre with particular worries for the children.

Olga Raffa, who had submitted a seven-page objection letter detailing the 20 reasons she is against the plans, started the petition which has gained more than 100 signatures.

In the petition, she writes: “Not only will a 24M metal phone mast have a negative visual impact on the countryside surrounding the Frith Youth Centre which has been given the status of an ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty,’ the unsightly mast will create significant health concerns especially to young people.

“As in days past, the use of type 2b Carcinogens such as DDT asbestos and lead were overlooked by the government, today the World Health Organisation has given RF pollution from phone masts the same status of type 2b Carcinogen which puts families, especially children at risk.”

Despite Ms Raffa’s complaints that potential health issues could be caused by the mast, SDC don’t consider issues with health with these sorts of applications.

A spokesman for SDC said: “We can understand the frustration from anyone who objected to this proposal, however this was a notification for a mast rather than a ‘normal’ planning application, which means that the council cannot object to the principal of the mast but can only consider its siting and appearance.

“National guidance, which includes an assessment of the risks posed by masts, dictates that councils cannot object to them on health grounds.”