A furious Edinburgh councillor in an upmarket neighbourhood is demanding that Vodafone reconsider their ‘ridiculous’ plans to create a giant 5G mobile phone mast in the area.
Councillor Mandy Watt is rallying local people and asking them to add to the 150 objections that already exist on the planning application for new mast at the traffic lights on Morningside Road, next to the old train station.
In a letter to Vodafone, Ms Watt, addressed local concerns and said that Morningside Station is the closest the area has to a town square and the proposed mast would obstruct the area’s iconic clock and their annual Christmas tree.
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She ended the communication by urging the mobile phone operators to find a better location for their mast tower.
Speaking on Facebook Ms Watt said that there have already been 150 objections on the planning application but asked more people to lodge their disapproval
She said: “I have written to the CEO of Vodafone UK regarding the ridiculous proposal to install a 20m mast beside Morningside Clock.
“There are now over 100 objections on the planning portal and I urge anyone who has not already objected to do so using the reference 22/00407/FUL.
“There are so many more suitable sites for this equipment and I can assure residents I will do everything in my power to have this proposal withdrawn.”
Vodafone provided a document on the planning application with background information on telecommunications development and its explains 5G and a summary explaining that it will not impact local people’s health.
It states: “5G is broadcast using radio waves, which are a type of radiation in what is commonly referred to as the ‘electromagnetic spectrum.’
“Research into the safety of radio waves has been conducted for more than 80 years, across the UK and around the world.
The strong consensus of scientific opinion and public health agencies, such as the World Health Organisation (WHO), is that no dangers to health have been established from exposure to the low-level radio signals used for mobile communications, including 5G, when used within guidelines.”
The City of Edinburgh Council will make a decision on the application in the coming days and weeks.
