Harlow Council has recently received a report it commissioned on emissions from the mobile phone masts at the Latton Bush Centre, following concerns expressed by a number of nearby residents. The report, produced by independent company Wiresoft, measures how strong the emissions are in Sakins Croft and The Readings, and compares this with a part of Harlow with no masts. The report also explains how the emissions compare with guidelines for public places set by an independent scientific body (the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection, or ICNIRP).

Emissions from masts are measured in watts per metre squared (W/m2). The guideline for public places set by the ICNIRP is 4.6 W/m2. The highest level in Sakins Croft or The Readings is 0.001532 W/m2. The level in Moor Hall Road, Harlow - an area with no masts - is 0.000514 W/m2.

The report shows that Sakins Croft and The Readings experience a very slightly higher level of emissions compared to an area with no masts. But emissions would have to be 3,000 times stronger before they reached the guideline limit. The report states: "Since the ICNIRP guidelines provide for the full protection of all people at the maximum permitted values, it follows that no harm should result from the much lower values measured in the public areas of the building around this Base Station".

Meanwhile, I'm still waiting for a response from O2 to my letters after the public meeting about the masts in December last year, which they have failed to answer despite several reminders. I'll continue to press for a reply.

I recently took the opportunity to discuss mobile phone masts with the Chief Executive of the Mobile Operators Association. The Association will shortly be writing to all councils - including Harlow - on behalf of all five mobile phone operating companies, with an invitation to discuss their future mast siting plans. I believe this is a helpful move towards more openness about the siting of masts, and I will be encouraging the Council to take advantage of this opportunity.