COUNTRYSIDE campaigners have branded changes to planning guidance over mobile phone masts as "inadequate".
The comments from the Council for the Protection of Rural England (CPRE) follow a new round of Government guidance aimed at giving people a louder voice in the decision-making process.
Under the new guidance, public consultations will be strengthened on proposals for masts that are 15 metres tall or below to treat them the same as applications for planning permission.
School governors must also be consulted on all proposals for masts on or near a school or college and fees will be increased to allow authorities to carry out full consultations.
Authorities will also be able to reject applications on amenity grounds and the deadline for decisions is extended to 56 days.
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