TRUSTEES of the Frith Youth Centre in Bussage have refuted claims that the proposed phone mast is dangerous.

They say that reputable independent research carried out over many years has “consistently shown no need for concern”.

After many objections from members of the community, trustees of the Frith Youth Centre in Bussage have decided to allow the construction of a phone mast behind their building.

There have been concerns that it is dangerous to public health and that it is visually unappealing, but the trustees reject both of these claims.

A representative of FYC trustees said: "The Frith Youth Centre Trustees have agreed in principle to sign the contract with CILT for the mobile phone mast subject to further negotiation.

"The Trustees realise this will disappoint those who are unhappy about the mast, but having considered carefully the claims of the campaigners, the Trustees have concluded the interests of The Frith Youth Centre and the wider community are best served by signing the contract."

They go on to break down the health argument, saying: “In reaching the decision, considerable time has been spent considering the evidence relating to phone masts and health.

“Reputable independent research carried out over many years has consistently shown no need for concern about the health effects of mobile phone masts.

“Trusted bodies such as Cancer Research UK, NHS Choices, Public Health England and the World Health Organisation have carefully considered the available research and all concluded that there is no convincing scientific evidence that emissions from mobile phones cause adverse health effects, although monitoring of long term effects should continue as a precaution.

“Also radio wave exposure from a phone mast is over a hundred times less than the International Guidelines and is much less than that emitted by a mobile phone.”

They also address the argument that it is not visually appealing, with some saying that the mast would damage an area of outstanding natural beauty, but the trustees think this is overstated.

The representative said: “The Trustees accept that the mast is not a thing of beauty.

“However, the Trustees consider the claims of the visual impact by campaigners are overstated.

“They would point out that from many angles the mast will be screened by the trees around Bussage Pleasure Ground, and that elsewhere the backdrop of trees for the mast will mitigate its visual impact.

“Further, if the mast is not on the Frith Youth Centre site, then it is highly likely it will be built elsewhere in Bussage or Brownshill.”

“A paper evaluating the anti-mast campaigners’ health claims can be found on the Frith Youth Centre website and can also be found in the Frith Youth Centre section of the Chalford Parish Council website.”

Olga Raffa, a campaigner who started a recent petition against the plans, is not happy about the decision, she said: "It's about health, it's the children I'm worried about.

"I'm fine, I'll can move away, but the carcinogens will affect the people who are in that area.

"If you go on the petition page, there are videos and information about the dangers of this mast."

Chalford Parish Council has published on its website a 19-page document evaluating the claims made in Ms Raffa’s petition, adding: “After a thorough investigation, my conclusion is that none of the claims stand up to scrutiny. The claims are unfounded.”

The evaluation of the claims can be read here.