‘No’ vote to phone mast is upheld
By David Crookes
MOBILE phone giant T-Mobile has been told that it cannot erect a phone mast nearly 50ft high at a Bolton beauty spot.
The firm lodged an appeal over a decision by Bolton Council to reject the plans for a mast on a footpath near Doffcocker Lodge, Bolton.
But a government planning inspector has upheld the town hall decision.
Local councillor, Richard Sylvester, said: "It's a triumph for common sense."
He said people living in nearby Boot Lane and Old Kiln Lane had felt very strongly about the plans and nearly 100 lodged objections.
"It was unsuitable for the area and would have been very intrusive," he said.
"The planning committee rejected the plans because it was the right thing to do and it's pleasing that the decision has been upheld."
Planners threw out proposals for the 15-metre high mast following the objections despite council officers recommending they should be approved.
Bolton Council's planning committee said the plan represented "inappropriate development within the Green Belt" and any special circumstances did not outweigh the harm that would be caused.
The Government was called in to rule over the plans following Bolton Council's rejection of them in January.
Cllr Sylvester said he anticipated the firm would submit alternative plans for the area, but expected residents to oppose any future proposals for the Doffcocker Lodge area.
"People feel very strongly because the area is somewhere which people use regularly and want to enjoy," he added.
No-one from T Mobile was available for comment.
4:37pm today
© Copyright 2001-2006 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.thisislancashire.co.uk/news/localnews/display.var.857298.0.no_vote_to_phone_mast_is_upheld.php
MOBILE phone giant T-Mobile has been told that it cannot erect a phone mast nearly 50ft high at a Bolton beauty spot.
The firm lodged an appeal over a decision by Bolton Council to reject the plans for a mast on a footpath near Doffcocker Lodge, Bolton.
But a government planning inspector has upheld the town hall decision.
Local councillor, Richard Sylvester, said: "It's a triumph for common sense."
He said people living in nearby Boot Lane and Old Kiln Lane had felt very strongly about the plans and nearly 100 lodged objections.
"It was unsuitable for the area and would have been very intrusive," he said.
"The planning committee rejected the plans because it was the right thing to do and it's pleasing that the decision has been upheld."
Planners threw out proposals for the 15-metre high mast following the objections despite council officers recommending they should be approved.
Bolton Council's planning committee said the plan represented "inappropriate development within the Green Belt" and any special circumstances did not outweigh the harm that would be caused.
The Government was called in to rule over the plans following Bolton Council's rejection of them in January.
Cllr Sylvester said he anticipated the firm would submit alternative plans for the area, but expected residents to oppose any future proposals for the Doffcocker Lodge area.
"People feel very strongly because the area is somewhere which people use regularly and want to enjoy," he added.
No-one from T Mobile was available for comment.
4:37pm today
© Copyright 2001-2006 Newsquest Media Group
http://www.thisislancashire.co.uk/news/localnews/display.var.857298.0.no_vote_to_phone_mast_is_upheld.php
rudkla - 31. Jul, 21:59
