The Editor
News Guardian

Dear Sir,

Conservative Councillor Joe Bell was wrong on two counts last week- I am not a member of the planning committee and have not been for quite some time and also I was not present at the planning meeting when the telecommunications mast for Hillheads was discussed. However he is right when he recognises that there are health concerns about the telecommunications mast for Hillheads, which is why at the request of residents I have attended a couple of meetings with local residents who are concerned.

Cllr Bell is not alone in recognising the health concerns. A number of Tory colleagues signed a petition against the same mast on health ground when it was proposed for Churchill playing fields. One of his colleagues, Cllr Michael McIntyre, opposed the mast which would have been yards from his home but the welcomed the same mast when it went to Hillheads.

Cllr Michael McIntyre a member of the planning committee signed the petition. The petition began by opposing the mast on possible health grounds. If health concerns are not considered why did Cllr Michael McIntyre as a member of the planning committee and now a conservative Cabinet member, sign the petition?

Cllr Michael McIntyre had also opposed the Churchill playing fields site near his home saying the mast should not be near residential or recreational area. He then supported the same mast to go to Hillheads next to the football ground, next to the cricket pitch, near to the ice rink and in an area surrounded by residential housing. This is a case of a member of the planning committee abusing his position without declaring an interest, it is also a case of not in my back yard from a Tory group which cares about their area but could not care less about others.

And who do they blame- the scientists, phone companies, the government- in the same way they used to blame the Council until they started to run it. Cllr Michael McIntyre is beginning to run amok. If the Mayor wants to show leadership he should bring him to heal before he makes any more lives a misery.

Yours faithfully,

Councillor Ian Grayson.