Phone mast restrictions defeated

6:30pm Thursday 24th July 2008

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LIBERAL Democrat councillor Jane Brophy has expressed her disappointment that a move by her party to tighten up planning rules on mobile phone masts was defeated.

Currently, planning applications for phone masts up to 15 metres in height are subject to fewer restrictions than planning applications generally, often making it difficult for councils to refuse permission for them.

Liberal Democrats in Parliament recently moved an amendment which would have meant applications for phone masts would have required full planning permission, and so be considered in the same way as applications for new buildings or change of use of existing ones.

After the change was defeated, Cllr Brophy, Parliamentary spokeswoman, said: “As a result, communities in Altrincham and Sale West will continue to find it hard to battle against inappropriate phone masts.”