Cautious reaction to phone mast proposal

Plans to erect a 17-5-metre phone mast in the middle of a village sports hub have been met by some raised eye brows in Guilsfield.

Residents received a letter prior to the weekend explaining that in order to end the village’s weak phone signals, the mast would be erected close to the sports facilities at the community centre.

Pegasus Group informed residents there will be a public consultation over their plans which are being developed in partnership with Shared Access, a company that specialises erecting safe telecommunications structures.

They say it will improve network coverage for Vodafone and O2 as well as deliver 4G communications infrastructure for the village, which is Montgomeryshire’s biggest.

But despite the reassurances that the mast will be fully compliant with standards set down by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection, residents have reacted with considerable caution.

The village’s Facebook page has been buzzing with comments.

One said, while posting a link to a study of phone masts and their impact on children: “Not sure that being planned so close to community, never mind a school is ever a good idea?”

Another added that she is “worried about the radiation levels”.

MyWelshpool has contacted Pegasus and the Community Centre committee for comments.

Residents have until July 4 to make their opinions known to the developers.