04/09/2011 - Pioneering Wi-Fi scheme for village faces axe after 'Luddite' campaign group claims it is bad for your health

Pioneering Wi-Fi scheme for village faces axe after 'Luddite' campaign group claims it is bad for your health

A pioneering scheme to bring Wi-Fi to a rural village could be scuppered by a 'Luddite' charity who says the technology damages peoples' health. The Wispire project, run by the Norwich Diocese and internet service provider Freeclix, wanted to install a wireless broadband receiver and transmitter in the tower of Postwick's All Saints Church. It would see high-speed broadband beamed into local firms and homes, and bring welcome extra income to struggling churches renting out their towers.

But ElectroSensitivity UK claimed the move would have a negative effect on the health of nearby residents. The project has now been suspended, pending an official clerical inquiry, for a debate which could have far-reaching consequences for cash-strapped rural communities and churches across the country.

Postwick, near Norwich, was to be the first to install the equipment. Campaigners believe Wi-Fi can cause sleep problems, headaches, tinnitus, dry skin, chest pains and even depression and stress. The project had been welcomed by residents who, for many months, had been crying out for a speedier internet connection. Alan Wood, chairman of Postwick parish council, dubbed the charity as 'Luddite dinosaurs'. He said: 'The broadband here is very slow and we were looking forward to the project because it would improve that. There have been no local objections here.'

Ray Soudain, church warden at All Saints church in Postwick, added: 'People in Postwick are keen for it to go ahead because they want a better signal. It is very poor quality at the moment.' But while there have been no objections from people living locally, the national charity ElectroSensitivity UK has written to the Norwich Diocese raising concerns about the risks the signal could have on public health.

Chairman Michael Bevington said he knew of '10 to 20 people sensitised by Wi-Fi' in the area who suffered from the symptoms. They include sleep problems, headaches, tinnitus, dry skin, chest pains and even depression and stress.