24 April 2007
'The scrutiny report into phone masts recommends regular independent monitoring of mast emissions. This is an excellent idea and I compliment the scrutiny panel members on the speedy completion of this report.
From the outset of my involvement with mast applications I have used a precautionary approach in relation to mast emissions. The mast consents that I have granted generally carry a condition requiring that before the consent becomes permanent the operator has to provide evidence that the emissions from the mast do not exceed the levels specified on the permit.
However the scrutiny panel's recommendation to extend this to permanent regular independent testing throughout the life of the mast may further reassure Islanders. Consequently I intend to condition all further mast consents to require the operator to fund the cost of regular independent monitoring of the mast's emissions. This condition will apply as long as the mast remains in operation.
Furthermore in response to the announcement last year that scrutiny intended to report on masts I immediately changed the type of consent given by Planning. All consents after this date were temporary and contained a condition allowing me to implement changes after the publication of the scrutiny report. I will now notify the operators of all masts with a temporary consent that before the consent is made permanent they will be required to confirm that they will fund regular independent testing of the mast.
With regard to the masts established before my appointment or before I changed to only issuing temporary consents I sincerely hope that the operators will respond by agreeing to fund regular independent tests on these masts to reassure Islanders.
It is important to note that the emissions from mobile masts recently erected in Jersey are typically only a small fraction of the safe limits as specified by ICNERP. However independent testing will reassure the public that emissions will remain within safe limits in the future.'
Senator Freddie Cohen
MINISTER FOR PLANNING AND ENVIRONMENT
STATES OF JERSEY
gov.je