Community Against Radiation Emissions (CARE) intend to protest plans for a new BTC Mobility tower at Lusher Hill East.

Stephen Thompson, spokesman for the group opposed to cell phone towers, in a Letter to the Editor, has expressed concern the tower will be placed in a densely populated neighbourhood.

And Mr. Thompson suggests that while the property owner may not have a problem with living under the tower -- the neighbours might.

According to Mr. Thompson, the property owner is believed to be a BTC senior engineer and may get rent for the tower.

BTC have registered an application for a new transmission site with a 40-foot tower and an equipment room.

"The position of CARE is that the authorities do not give serious consideration to the health risks or to the rights of concerned citizens,'' Mr. Thompson wrote. "And that the long term health consequences (of cellular communications) are unknown.

"We are very concerned about the location of the proposed tower,'' Mr.

Thompson continued. "A walk around the neighbourhood shows just how densely populated the area is with a number of other hills in close proximity.

"The landowner himself...can make a choice to have a cellular tower within ten to 20 feet of his home,'' he explained. "But those in the neighbouring area will not have that choice if it is erected on the proposed site.

"Use of a cellular phone is voluntary,'' Mr. Thompson adds. "Having a cellular tower erected in one's neighbourhood is quite a different matter.'' Mr. Thompson explains the community can either put their trust in the Government licensing agent or "live in a state of anxiety'' or the impractical solution of moving.

CARE also point out that Government had promised no more new towers to be placed and question why the nearby Bermuda Regiment site is not used.

"We would ask that the Minister for Planning make all due inquiry into this matter and to bear in mind the studies which relate to this issue,'' he adds.

"In particular there is a recent study in the UK which can be accessed at the following web address: www.iegmp.org.uk.

"In view of the fact that there is little long term research on the effects of continuous exposure to low levels of radiation from cellular towers,'' Mr.

Thompson continues, "we would ask that the Planning Department examine and apply the precautionary principle. We believe that public fear and concern is a material planning consideration.'' CARE is concerned that radiation exposure particularly for children, the elderly, pregnant women and the infirm are bolstered they say by experience with the controversial Faraway, Warwick, and the Scott's Hill Road, Sandys.

According to CARE, residents have complained of "inter alia sleep disorders'', headaches, memory loss and stress "as a result of having had the tower built so close to their homes''.

"These are consistent with some of the effects experienced and documented in the vicinity of towers in other parts of the world,'' Mr. Thompson adds.

"We repeat our view that there should be a comprehensive review of telecommunications towers to ascertain how the business needs might be met by fewer, higher, shared towers,'' Mr. Thompson wrote.

"Rather than the existing proliferation of such equipment which is often now to be found close to residential communities where young children live and schools,'' he concluded.

ENVIRONMENT ENV