Work has begun on the upgrading of telecommunications equipment on the rooftop of a Tenby hotel, much to the concern of nearby residents and a local county councillor . The application from Orange PCS Ltd to enlarge the existing transmission dish and mast on the North Cliff's Park Hotel, was given the go-ahead by members of Pembrokeshire Coast National Park development management committee back in April last year. NP development control officer, Mrs. Cathy Milner, recommended at the time that members approve the application on the grounds that the mast upgrade would be less visually obtrusive than the set-up that was then in place. However, County Councillor Michael Williams, who represents Tenby North, has this week reiterated his concerns over the mast's installation, having strongly objected to the application last year, when he proposed that an alternative site should be sought. "The visual impact that the mast upgrade would cause was always the main issue as far as NP members were concerned when they were making their decision in appproving the application, but my biggest worry all along was the implications that this communictions mast could be causing to nearby residents' health, and judging by the size of the equipment that is being installed, it is only going to exacerbate residents' concerns on the matter," explained Clr. Williams. "What we don't fully understand is what these telecommunication masts emit, and until we can be sure that they are not putting people's health at risk, I think it's certainly an issue the the National Government needs to address to see that these masts are limited and not put up near areas where there are a number of residential houses," he continued. Clr. Williams, who is now a member of NP's development management committee, is disappointed that the applicants did not take into account the views of local residents, and thinks that they could have easily identified an alternative site for the mast. "I'm frustrated that a large company like Orange didn't seem overly concerned about the issues residents had with the siting. "Those residents are more than justified with their concerns, as more research this week has shown that there is evidence that suggests possible health problems associated with the use of mobile phones," added Clr. Williams. FOOTNOTE: On Wednesday, Clr Williams accompanied Plaid Cymru MP Elfyn Llwyd on a visit to the site. Afterwards, he said: "I question the wisdom of siting the mast right in the middle of a settlement. " Concerned about genuine health fears associated with such masts, he also questioned the lawfulness of the publicising of the planning application and called for the matter to be looked at again.
