Park chiefs make health study plea (From Gazette & Herald)

Park chiefs make health study plea

NATIONAL park chiefs are to keep pressing for a Government-funded study on the possible health impact of radiation from RAF Fylingdales.

Members of the North York Moors National Park Authority are to also ask North Yorkshire County Council to investigate health issues at the site, and to support the park's call for a meeting with a Government minister to discuss the future of the base.

The moves came at a meeting of the authority in Helmsley yesterday to discuss the Ministry of Defence's (MoD) decision to proceed with an upgrade at Fylingdales - before the park authority had fully considered the proposal.

Improvements to computer software, which are due to be completed in April, will enable the early warning station to play a part in the US "Son of Star Wars" missile shield project.

The park authority will now ask the MoD to alter its decision, and agree to fund monitoring around Fylingdales Moor to establish whether there is a link between radar emissions and cancer.

Coun David Jeffels, who serves on the park authority, said: "I go along with this wholeheartedly. There should be scrutiny of this matter, if only to allay the public's concerns.

"The amount of money it would cost the MoD would pale into insignificance compared to the amount of confidence it would give to the public."

Coun Jeffels' fellow park authority members agreed for the need for a study.

Coun Mary Atkins said: "I think the public have a right to be reassured about new technology and we must be seen to be supporting that."

Coun Tim Lawn said: "I would like to see us push hard for an independent study to be done and health checks to be carried out. If the base is safe, it will be money well spent by the MoD in terms of gaining public confidence."

Coun Keith Knaggs said: "Fylingdales is there, and it's there to stay. We should be having assurances that it is safe."

The park is not in a position to demand a health study because the upgrade does not require planning permission.

Updated: 11:00 Friday, January 16, 2004