Michael Cliffe House residents who accused the Town Hall of putting profit before their health over plans to fix 5G antennas on two tower blocks

• WE thank the Tribune for alerting us to Islington Labour Council’s intention to allow 86 5G antennas to be fixed on the roof of 23-storey Michael Cliffe House on the Finsbury Estate. (November 7).

As is the norm with this lot there is a lack of concern for the health and safety of working-class tenants. Our rights to be properly consulted on just about any issues relating to our homes are simply ignored.

In this instance the officer report to the planning committee says that consultation letters were sent to 316 adjoining and nearby properties in streets surrounding our estate on February 20 2019.

So far we have found only two households out of the 451 flats on the estate that believe they received these letters. Neither of these were TRA reps, who would have been particularly vigilant in looking at letters coming from the council.

It wouldn’t be the first time that Islington claims to have sent consultation letters to our estate which have not been received; but we want this properly investigated. Also, the letter, of which we have obtained an email copy, does not even mention 5G.

There has been significant criticism from scientists from some 36 countries about the potential hazards to health from 5G, which will substantially increase exposure to radio-­frequency electro­magnetic fields on top of 2G, 3G and 4G.

A major concern that they highlight is the extent to which private industry has funded, and therefore influenced, the research of those who dominate in setting the standards.

This includes the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection, whose standards support the manufacturers’ “official declaration” that the antennae would not pose a risk on our estate. Does this remind anyone of the estate’s fire safety issues?

RICHARD LARCOMBE
Chair, Finsbury Estate Tenants’ & Residents’ Association