Council asks court to order antenna removal

Lija local council yesterday asked the court to order the telecoms company Melita to remove a mobile phone antenna repeater it installed in the locality.

Four families from Lija joined the council in making the request.

The council said that between last September and May, Melita had installed an antenna repeater on the roof of a property in Preziosi Street. According to the council, the installation of the repeater was harmful to the health of families in this locality, apart from the fact that it was illegal and liable to cause damage to residents. Reports drawn up by experts had suggested that there was a probability that the repeater could be detrimental to the health of the residents and the council was empowered at law to protect the interests of Lija inhabitants.

The council and the four families asked the court to declare that the installation of the antenna was illegal and abusive and liable to cause damage to health.

The court was asked to order the removal of the antenna. Lawyer Kris Balzan was counsel to the council.