A CONTROVERSIAL mobile phone mast is one step closer to approval after Whitworth Council ruled it had no objections to the proposals.

At last week’s meeting of the general purposes committee, members discussed a planning application submitted by mobile phone giant Orange to erect the mast on land off High Barn Lane.

The plans would see a timber-clad column and three antennae, two 600mm telecommunication dishes and six equipment cabinets erected on the site.

The lane runs from the back of Tong End, high above Cowm Park Way North and can also be accessed from Back Lane via Back Cowm Lane.

Local resident Dr Sandra Hesten voiced her objections to the proposals, fearing that it would overlook Cowm Reservoir and damage the environment.

Following the meeting she said: "The proposed positioning of the mast could not be more damaging to the skyline of what is a major recreational facility for the town.

"It will also be an unwelcome intrusion when viewed from the other side of the valley.

"It would disfigure the landscape’s natural beauty."

She also expressed concerns at the levels of radiation that could be emitted from the equipment and is appealing for members of the community to back the campaign against the mast.

She added: "This is not a party political campaign and we would welcome any support from people in the area to stop this mast from being erected."

A spokesman for Orange said: "This mast is a replacement for an existing site at Farm Field (off Back Lane) that we have been requested to vacate due to a pending re-development of the area for housing.

"Due to the low power of mobile phone masts the signal does not travel very far and in order to maintain a level of service for our customers in this area, a replacement site was needed in the same vicinity.

"We appreciate that the community has concerns over visual amenity, especially around an area such as a reservoir, but we do try and be as sympathetic to the environment as possible.

"The existing mast at Farm Field will remain in place and operational until a replacement is secured so that we can avoid loss of coverage for our customers."

A final decision on the planning application will be made by Rossendale Council.