Labour have sided with phone giants against local communities - Oldham Borough Liberal Democrats

4.33.41pm BST (GMT +0100) Mon 7th Jul 2008

Oldham Borough Liberal Democrats have launched a stinging attack on Phil Woolas, Labour MP for Oldham East & Saddleworth, for siding with phone company giants rather than residents in a row over the power of communities to stop inappropriately sited phone masts.

Currently, fewer restrictions govern planning applications for phone masts up to 15 metres in height, often making it difficult for councils to refuse permission for controversial proposals.

Liberal Democrats in Parliament recently moved an amendment to the Planning Bill which would have meant applications for phone masts would have required full planning permission and therefore be considered in the same way as applications for new buildings or change of use of existing ones.

But Labour MPs, including Phil Woolas, voted against the call and Conservative MPs did not bother voting at all.

"Phil Woolas had the opportunity to side with local communities or with giant phone companies," said Elwyn Watkins, Parliamentary Spokesperson for Oldham East and Saddleworth. "It is extremely disappointing so see that he decided to back the latter.

"The change the Liberal Democrats proposed in the House of Commons would have given residents a fighting chance to stop inappropriately sited phone masts. It would have meant the phone companies would have had to apply for full planning permission in the same way that any other business would need to.

"And the Conservatives, despite a manifesto commitment to this planning requirement, showed that they couldn't be bothered to act on their own principles and abstained from the vote altogether!"

Related Link:

Record of the vote on the amendment to the planning bill.