Dr Tonge received confirmation from the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions that the Government is considering extending local authorities powers to refuse mast applications. The legislation could be passed as early as the autumn.
Richmond Council bowed to public pressure when it refused an application by phone operators Orange to erect a mast outside St Elizabeth's RC Primary School on Richmond Hill.
The development control committee listened to the overwhelming opposition to the application.
Committee chairman Laurence Mann said: "The scale of public concern has risen over the last few years but the Government has not given local councils the powers or the backing to challenge the erection of these masts."
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