By Michael Alexander

THOUSANDS OF school pupils and hundreds of residents could have their health put at increased risk if an application is granted for a third generation (3G) mobile phone mast on the outskirts of St Andrews, the chairman of a north-east Fife community council has warned.

Gordon Ball, chairman of Cameron Community Council, has written to the head teachers of Madras College and nearby Langlands Primary, both in St Andrews, advising them of plans for a “potentially dangerous” 12.5 metre 3G mobile phone mast in a field several hundred yards to the rear of Madras’ Kilrymont Road building off Grange Road.

Mr Ball said although neither of the schools fell within Cameron district, which covers largely rural communities to the south of St Andrews, the community council felt it was their “duty” to advise the schools of the current planning application from O2, and to highlight possible health effects.

Cameron Community Council has been highlighting particular concerns in its area recently about the possible health effects of TETRA police communication masts and is concerned mobile phone masts could be just as dangerous.

In his letters, Mr Ball said there was now “compelling evidence” to suggest a potential health hazard to children from mobile phone masts and many schools across the UK have been successful in persuading planning departments not to grant permission for them to be erected.

He said it was, of course, entirely up to the schools whether they consider it necessary to take any action or not. The community council only wanted to bring the matter to their attention.

He advised, however, that there was only a very short period, usually two weeks, in which to object to Fife Council planning service.

Mr Ball revealed his community council had this week urged “caution” over the application and had now lodged an official objection on grounds of the current investigations being carried out by the Scottish Executive.

He said until the effects of this technology are clearer and public opinion is “calmer”, the community council was not happy to give this application its support.

The comments come days after Professor Olle Johansson, a world-renowned Swedish expert on the impact of electromagnetic fields and microwave radiation, said the Scottish Executive should suspend the construction of all masts and launch an immediate investigation into the long-term health effects.

The Scottish Executive has responded, however, stating that the evidence to date suggests exposure to radiation below international guidelines “does not cause adverse health effects to the general population”.

It says it will continue monitoring emerging research in this area, but has stated, “The National Radiological Protection Board’s 2004 report on mobile phones and health notes that there is no scientific basis for establishing minimal distances between base stations and areas of public occupancy.”

Last night the phone company O2, said it takes health and safety very seriously but said there is overwhelming evidence that there is no cause for concern.

A spokesman said a previous application for the same site had been approved in November, purely for 3G but the amended application now submitted comprised 3G and the more widely used phone type 2G.

He added that 3G emissions were no stronger than those from existing masts.

Yesterday, Cupar-based Fife Council planner Grant Baxter said the application site was 15m from an existing phone mast compound at Grange Road.

The application had been submitted on February 2 and it was not yet known when it would be determined by the east area development committee.

Fife Council principal planner David Queripel said Scottish Executive National Plan- ning Policy guidelines and the council’s own development plan policies on telecommunications equipment determined the siting and design of masts.

Scottish Executive guidance says health is a material planning consideration. Phone companies must provide certification that their equipment, in accordance to these guidelines, is acceptable.

Fife Council education health and safety spokesman Colin Acland said, “We are guided by regional and national guidance on this including those issued by the Scottish Executive.

“We will also be taking the advice of our own colleagues in Fife Council planning department on this matter. My understanding is there are no formal reasons for objecting to the plans for this mast on educational safety grounds.”

Langlands Primary School and Madras College were contacted by The Courier but declined to comment.