MP angered by Vodafone decision
Posted on Thursday, December 15 2005
“Vodafone have completely ignored public opinion” - Robertson
Moray’s MP Angus Robertson has express anger and disappointment at Vodafone’s continued insistence on building a mast in the centre of Cullen.
The mast is to be built on the site of the old telephone exchange in the town and has attracted widespread criticism from the local community.
A large number of residents signed petitions and wrote letters objecting to the mast and the SNP’s Mr Robertson wrote directly to Vodafone on several occasions demanding they reconsider their proposal in light of the level of local opposition.
Most recently the Moray MP met with a senior Vodafone representative in London and made a last appeal for the company to reverse its decision but unfortunately Vodafone have decided to carry on regardless.
Commenting on the company’s decision Angus Robertson said:
“ In my contact with Vodafone in recent months I have repeatedly emphasised the fact that the level of opposition to this proposal is unprecedented in Moray since I was elected in 2001.
“ The proposal was initially rejected by The Moray Council where councilors, including my Scottish National Party colleagues, voted against the plans. Vodafone are now riding roughshod over local democracy and it angers me that major multi-national companies can get away with this behaviour.
“ I have said throughout this process that what Scotland needs is much tighter planning controls on phone masts and there are planning changes going through the Scottish Parliament that could address this.
“ This is something that my SNP MSP colleagues, including Margaret Ewing, will be examining very carefully when the Labour/Liberal Executive finally publish their proposals.
“ It is particularly galling that the Executive had intended to bring these proposals to parliament some considerable time ago but they failed to do so and this could have assisted in this case.
“ The SNP has consulted on a third party right of appeal for planning decisions and we will be placing on record our support for such a right when the proposals come before parliament.”
Ends.
Contact: Graham Leadbitter, Parliamentary Assistant – Tel: 01343 55111
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