Labour MP Bill Esterson and Formby Councillor angry as Freshfield Train Station phone mast is given green light

Sefton Central Labour MP Bill Esterson and Formby Labour Councillor Nina Killen said they are both disappointed that plans to install a phone mast at Freshfield Train Station were given the greenlight last Friday.

Mother of three Cllr Killen, who was only elected as Harington Ward's Labour Councillor earlier this month gave her backing to the residents' campaign to oppose the plans, with MP Bill Esterson raising concerns about the long term health implications of the mast.

But despite this, the Vodafone and Telefonica application for the mast was approved by the planning committee on Friday.

Cllr Killen said she was disappointed for everyone concerned in the campaign and all of the residents who signed a petition opposing the plans.

Cllr Killen said: "This is very disappointing for everyone in Freshfield. There was overwhelming opposition to these plans in this community, but still the Planning Committee appears to have had no way of turning down the planning application.

"The residents' arguments against the plans deserved to be listened to. I and other local councillors made sure that local views were considered.

"People living nearby, are very concerned about the accumulative effect of increased radiation in this community. Not only will there now be radiation being emitted from the high voltage sub-station, as well as the electrified rail lines and existing nearby telecommunications masts, but now there is also increased levels of radiation from the new mast.

"Accumulated levels of radiation are a very real concern for health experts

"Then when you consider that this mast will be just 16m away from the nearest property, a property where there are young children, you realise why people here are concerned. Unfortunately, according to government guidance, such concerns are not part of the planning process.

Cllr Killen added: "It is not something which we wanted, but which is being imposed upon is as a result of central government rules."

Bill Esterson said it was disappointing that government changes to planning regulations made it even more difficult for local councillors to object to unwelcome developments.

Bill said: "I am very concerned that local councils’ hands are being tied because of the changes to the planning rules. There were no planning reasons for the committee to turn down this application and new rules brought in just a few weeks ago make it even harder to stop development of this kind.

"Despite talking about localism, the Tory-Lib Dem government is stopping local communities from being able to stop masts of this kind being erected.

"I have seen some very worrying evidence highlighting potential health risks, especially to children, because of increased levels of radiation and I am demanding the government looks into this further.

"I am going to keep pressing the government on this issue and if the government reveals any new findings I will be pushing for a comprehensive review of the issue of phone masts throughout the country." 

New Formby Councillor works with residents to oppose plans for phone mast at Freshfield Train Station

Formby Labour Councillor Nina Killen is working with residents to oppose plans to install a telephone mast at Freshfield Station.

 

Mother of three Nina was only elected as Harington Ward's Labour Councillor two weeks ago, but already she is working alongside residents to oppose the mast application.

 

Vodafone and Telefonica have submitted the application for a telecommunications mast to be sited at the station off Victoria Road.

 

This is the second time in 10 years that residents have had to mobilise to oppose the installation of a mast at the site.

 

Golf Road resident Jamie Doyle was involved in the original campaign to oppose the plans.

 

The father of two, who together with other residents compiled a petition opposing the plans, said: "A few of us went around collecting names of people in the immediate vicinity. In a very short time we managed to collect 90 signatures.

 

"Out of every door we knocked on, we had just one person who refused to sign, which goes to show the strength of feeling in this community against this.

 

"The proposed mast is being sited in an area where young children live and where there is already higher than normal levels of radiation being emitted from the high voltage substation, electrified rail lines and the telecommunications mast recently erected at Fisherman's Path.

 

"Residents here feel as though this is already a done deal and their views are being ridden roughshod over.

 

"This 45ft mast will dominate the landscape for the local residents, as there is negligible screening. There is one tree blocking this mast, but that isn't sufficient coverage.

 

"But the main concern is the close proximity of the mast to the houses, it is just 16m away from my property. The accumulative radiation is the primary concern for people in this community. There are lots of young children in this community and we fear for the health affects of these masts on them."

 

Harington Ward Labour Councillor and mum of three Nina Killen and MP Bill Esterson have written to residents around the site.

 

Cllr Killen said: "People in this community have some very real concerns about this application and that is shown by the number of people who signed the petition opposing it. 

 

"We have concerns about the health implications of a mast of this size being located so close to houses.

 

"This community campaigned against a similar application 10 years ago. We will campaign even harder this time.

 

"The views of this community must be heard."

 

Bill Esterson has raised the issue in Parliament.

 

Bill said: "I have asked government ministers for guidance on the risks from electromagnetic radiation from phone masts and mobile phones, especially in children. 

 

"There is evidence of potential health risks especially to children and we want the government to say what the scientific evidence shows. 

 

"I am also asking for clarification on the new planning rules about mobile phone masts which the government announced last month.

 

"Cllr Killen will also be raising the issues which have been raised locally with us with members of the Sefton Council Planning Committee."

Sefton Central MP Bill Esterson pays tribute to Formby's John Moores who has died aged 83

Sefton Central Labour MP Bill Esterson has paid tribute to John Moores Jnr who has died aged 83.

 

Mr Moores, who was son of the late Sir John Moores, founder of Littlewood's football pools, lived in Formby with his wife Jane.

 

Bill Esterson said he was shocked to hear of Mr Moores death.

 

Bill said: "From the point I was selected to stand for the Sefton Central seat John Moores became a good friend and advisor.

 

"He was tireless in campaigning for issues of social justice and looking after the interests of the community of Formby where he lived.

 

"He had a deep sense of social justice and was always concerned about other people.

 

"I spoke to him recently and he was in very good form, so this has come as a particular shock to me and members of the Labour Action Teams throughout Sefton."

 

Bill passed his sympathies on to Mr Moores' wife Jane and the rest of the family.

 

Bill said: "Lots of people knew John. He was a very down to earth man who was always willing to do anyone a good turn. That's just the type of man he was.

 

"John was always full of energy and up for campaigning on a variety of issues.

 

"We have lost a good friend, but I am sure that his passion for social justice will live on as he was an inspiration to me and many others who met him."  

Formby Labour councillors urge residents to have say on future of town's library service

Formby's three Labour councillors are urging residents to have their say on the future of the town's library.

 

Cllr Catie Page, together with new Ravenmeols Labour Councillor Peter Maguire and new Harington Ward Labour Councillor Nina Killen, are calling on people to have their say on the library service.

 

Sefton is conducting a review of its services throughout the borough, including in Formby.

 

Cllr Catie Page said: "Sefton Council is seeking information about how people here use the library service. Once they have compiled those views, they will then formulate recommendations on options for the future of the service.

 

"Because our library is so well used, it is crucial that people here have their say and make sure that the views of Formby residents are heard.

 

"Between 2010-11 Formby Library had 119,143 visits. For a small library like ours, that is a lot and it shows just how well used our service is.

 

"This is in no small way down to the ideal location of the library, just outside the Village, near to the train station and on main bus routes. It is an ideal service for the town.

 

"We want people here to make sure they have their say so the council can make an informed decision when drawing up the its proposals for the future of the library."

 

This first stage of the consultation will be for 12 weeks and will close on July 31. Residents' views and the information provided will be used as part of a report for future options for the service which will be used for further consultation later in the year.

 

Cllr Nina Killen said Sefton's controlling Labour Group was determined to ensure that residents were integral to the decision making process in the borough.

 

Cllr Killen said: "Because of the Tory-Lib Dem government's cuts to Sefton's budget, which has already seen us have to cut more than £80m from council spending, there is obviously less money to spend.

 

"We have to make sure we spend what money is left wisely.

 

"We need to ensure that we are providing the services that residents most want and need and part of that process is ensuring that residents' views are taken into account.

 

"That's why it is crucial that people have their say and get involved in the consultation."

 

Cllr Peter Maguire said the library service in Formby is widely used.

 

Cllr Maguire said: "I know from personal experience that Formby Library is well used and very popular. I have used the library since I was a child and still use it today, and I know just how busy it can be.

 

"The figures for the number of visits for last year and the number of books issued show that.

 

"I would urge people to take the time to fill in the consultation document and send it back so that the views of Formby are heard."

 

To fill in the questionnaire, go to: https://engagespace.co.uk/sefton/consultation_Dtl.aspx?consult_Id=735&status=2&criteria=I

 

The consultation closes on July 31.

 

 

 

 

Issues 2010/11                                          Visits 2010/11

Ainsdale	90,807		Ainsdale	64,131
Aintree	40,695		Aintree	31,977
Birkdale	162,636		Birkdale	87,282
Bootle	69,132		Bootle	104,533
Churchtown	122,043		Churchtown	59,472
College Road	83,521		College Road	92,522
Crosby	207,396		Crosby	142,094
Formby	190,336		Formby	119,143
Litherland	49,208		Litherland	42,444
Meadows	151,989		Meadows	274,252
Mobile	4,946		Mobile	Not recorded
Netherton	35,428		Netherton	42,937
Orrell	46,666		Orrell	32,256
Southport	118,460		Southport	117,109
Total	1,373,263		Total	1,210,152

Formby's three Labour councillors hold surgery in Formby Library

Formby's three Labour councillors will be holding their open surgery in Formby Library this Saturday (May 12).

 

The surgery will run from 10am to 12noon.

 

Or to make alternative appointments to see Cllr Catie Page, Cllr Nina Killen or Cllr Peter Maguire, call 01704 832 807.

Labour success in Formby

The Labour Party managed to win control of Sefton Council on Thursday, which included both Formby wards of Ravenmeols and Harington. In Ravenmeols Peter Maguire managed to dethrone the longstanding Councillor by over 900 votes, whilst in Harington Nina Killen won by a majority of 8! This is the first time ever Labour have won both Formby Wards in a local election. We want to thank everybody who voted Labour and look forward to representing you for many years to come.