Row erupts over controversial mobile phone masts ban

Sep 16 2009 Nick Moreton

“We just feel that if the most logical place to put it is on council land, then we should have the option to decide that’s the most sensible thing to do.”

Cllr Paula Parry, Conservative leader in Sefton, said her party “broadly supported” lifting the moratorium, but called for clearer information on what is and isn’t the council’s land.

She said: “This has gone on for quite a long time and it would be nice to have it all clear cut, but we aren’t entirely sure exactly which parts of land Sefton owns.

“We need a correct map showing what we own and until we know exactly which parts of land the council owns I don’t think we can say that we’ll allow masts to be sited on the council’s land.”

But Cllr Peter Dowd, leader of the Labour Group and deputy leader of the council, said he thought the moratorium should stay, but refused to say why until the council next meets.

He said: “I don’t think we need a great deal more information, but we have to get consensus on this.

“But lifting the moratorium opens up too many imponderables so I think it should remain and I will give my reasons when council discusses it at the next meeting.”