Emission levels are 'minute' says Hutchinson 3G

A petition and letters have opposed the Hutchinson 3G structure in Aberystwyth.

Ceredigion Council said it was unauthorised, but not illegal and a retrospective application would go before planners next week.

Hutchinson 3G said the 15-metre mast was not switched on and levels of emissions would be "minute".

Ceredigion Council has received 26 letters of objection and a petition signed by more than 100 people against the mast, which was erected in June.

The school is very unhappy Guy Pargeter, Ysgol Penweddig

"Residents living about 30 or 40 metres away and schools nearby are very concerned," said county councillor Paul James.

"The mast has been erected without planning permission."

The schools, more than 300 metres away, claimed they had not been informed about the development.

Hutchinson 3G admitted they had not contacted three nearby schools, but said that they were beyond the distance that they normally consulted.

Guy Pargeter, vice-chairman of Ysgol Gyfun Penweddig's governors in Aberystwyth, said: "The school is very unhappy and the headteacher has said the school was not consulted before the mast was erected.

"We object very strongly to the mast being sited there."

John Evans, senior planner at Ceredigion Council, said the mast was not illegal.

The mast is only a few metres from people's homes, says a councillor

"It is unauthorised but not illegal. It only becomes illegal if the local authority refuses planning permission.

"There is provision in legislation to make a retrospective application. They (Hutchinson 3G) are fully aware of the legal obligations."

Verity Stanford of Hutchinson 3G said: "The mast is temporary and will probably be there less than 12 months.

'Well below'

"We are allowed to erect the structure and apply for planning permission afterwards.

"We have done everything according to planning guidelines."

She added: "We did not consult schools and those over a certain distance away don't have to be consulted. The schools are more than 300 metres away.

The company also denied any claims of health risks, adding: "Emissions from the mast at ground level are minute and fall well below guidelines set by the World Health Organisation."