Network Rail's Communications Mast at Calstock

Can be erected within days as planning permission exists.

Location

1. Very near multiple residences
2. Concerns on visual impact and radiation exposure are real and harmful.
3. Whereas the visual more-so than the radiation may be a matter of perception, perception is 9/10th of the reality. It is therefore in NR's interest to acquiesce to any request to relocate it.

An Alternative site

1. Will need to allow for a good level of communication, line of site for directional aerials
2. Power supply for amplifiers
3. More of (smaller masts, may need greater power), less of (taller masts need less power)
4. GPDO permission given before such development was envisaged

Radiation

Power output

1. Power to transmit to where? Plymouth?
2. Different powers dependent on, distance from 'base'. More power at Gunnislake. What are the figures for each station to assess?
3. A dBW expresses power in relation to a reference level of 1 Watt.
   
   Examples:
   50 dBW = 100Kw; 40dBW = 10KW; 30dBW = 1000 Watts; 20dBW = 100 Watts; 10dBW = 10 Watts

Information on electro magnetic fields[2]
What are EMFs?

Electromagnetic fields (EMFs) arise whenever electrical energy is used. So for example, EMFs arise in our home from electrical appliances in the kitchen, from work processes such as radio-frequency heating and drying and in the world at large from radio, TV and Telecom broadcasting masts and security detection devices.

What are their effects?
It has been known for a long time that exposure of people to high levels of EMFs can give rise to acute effects. The effects that can occur depend on the frequency of the radiation. At low frequencies the effects will be on the central nervous system of the body whilst at high frequencies, heating effects can occur leading to a rise in body temperature. In reality, these effects are extremely rare and will not occur in most day-to-day work situations.

See hse.gov.uk/radiation

Directional

1. Draw map of beam width

Wavelength/Hertz:

1. Close to Orange and T-mobile at 850 and 900Mhz
   
   See /stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk
   876 - 915 GSM and 921- 960 GSM
2. Parish Council as Body or individual on low income or guaranteed pension credit are exempt fees

Frequency/Period

1. Will it only transmit when someone needs to connect from Calstock?
2. Will/can it be used by other services?

Planning

Granted by GPDO Section III Part 17
Can be removed by Art 4

Reasons

1. Area of ONB
2. GPDO permission given before such development was envisaged

If the Council decline

1. Consider JR on Council's decision
2. Parish Council as Body or individual on low income or guaranteed pension credit are exempt fees

If the Council agree

1. Secretary of State must confirm
2. Network Rail must then go through normal planning process, which includes appeals and public enquiries etc.

Cost

1. Daily running cost
2. Maintenance
3. Capital cost: Equipment and man hour * rate