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Residents lose mobile phone mast battle
Controversial plans for a mobile phone mast near two schools and a college in Preston have been approved.
Orange won an appeal to put up the 11.8m mast on land off St Vincent's Road, Fulwood, after the plan was rejected by Preston Council.
The mast will be close to Preston College, Archbishop Temple High School and Corpus Christi Catholic Sports College.
The mast will look like a lamppost and will have an equipment cabin alongside.
Locals launched a campaign in June 2006 when the original plans were submitted. Later in the year, Orange put in a new plan for a differently-designed mast but 19 people objected.
Orange said the equipment was necessary for the area after the company was ordered to take a mast off the roof of nearby Sharoe Green Hospital.
Planners refused the application in December 2006, saying it would effect neighbours' views and health.
But a Government planning inspector, who approved the plan on appeal, said in his report that the mast was far enough away from homes and the education centres.
He said: "It seems the locals' objections to the visual impact are partly influenced by concerns over effects on health. The proposed mast will not cause harm to living conditions of nearby occupiers."
Michael Sutton, of St Vincent's Road, objected to the mast.
He said: "We have got to have masts but we did not want it in our back garden. I would have preferred if it had been put on an industrial building.
"I am in the middle of selling my house at the moment and the people have pulled out."
Coun Jill Frances Truby, from the College ward, said: "We are very disappointed at the inspector's decision and will look to appeal against it."
An Orange spokesman said: "Having considered eight alternative options, we have received planning approval for a replacement site on St Vincent's Road to maintain essential network coverage."
He said the Stewart Report in 2000 showed there was no scientific basis for exclusion zones between base stations, schools and residential areas.
He said this was confirmed by the Government's independent health advisors, the National Radiological Protection Board and the Health Protection Agency.
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Tuesday 07 February 2012
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