THE emergency services communications mast on the roof of the British Telecom building in Charles Street, Petersfield has been turned on for testing, it was revealed this week.
The Tetra mast is part of the controversial Terrestrial Trunked Radio communications system being installed for the police.
The testing of the Petersfield mast is part of a bigger project to test the whole Hampshire system which will take place between Dececmber 3 and 12.
The company undertaking the work, Airwave MMO2, has warned that if the work is not carried out during these ten days Hampshire will not get the system for another year.
Regional communications manager Peter Sitch said: ÒWe are drive-testing in Petersfield at the moment. We hope that we shall be able to achieve Òready for serviceÓ for Hampshire police this year.Ó
But the future of the system will depend on the outcome of a debate by East Hampshire district councillors next week. Many residents are expected to turn out when councillors decide how to carry out the planning process. Objectors believe the systemÕs emissions are a potential health hazard.
District councillors will have to decide how they will administer the planning process, bearing in mind that they threatened to take out injunctions against Airwave when the company erected three unauthorised masts and associated equipment.
The company removed the masts and equipment at Woodcroft Farm, Chalton, Southwood Farm, Shaldon, Alton, and at Beaver Industrial Estate, Liphook.
Airwave has informed EHDC that the system in Hampshire has to be tested between December 3 and 12. If this is not done Hampshire will miss its allocated slot, and there will not be another available until early 2005.
To enable the testing to take place temporary masts and equipment will have to be erected at six sites in Gentles Lane, Passfield; Hewshott Lane, Liphook; Broxhead Trading Estate, Lindford; Wether Down police mast, East Meon; Woodcroft Farm, Chalton, and Southwood Farm, Shaldon.
The company believes that if it follows the normal approach of seeking temporary planning permission for masts on the six sites, it is highly unlikely that the testing of the system will take place in time.
To meet the testing time Airwave has said that it will temporarily install the masts for three months and confirm that they are ICNIRP (International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection) compliant.
At the end of three months the temporary masts and equipment will be removed. EHDC would allow this without planning permission to enable the testing to take place. It would also allow emissions checks to be made.
This would not commit the district council to permanent stand-alone masts, and planning applications would still have to be submitted and considered.