PLANS to install a telecommunications mast on land at Clay Lane have been given the go-ahead despite strong objections from Haslington residents.

Nearly thirty home-owners in the vicinity drew up a petition to try and stop the development as national fears increase over a potential health hazard.

With electricity pylons behind their homes, parish councillor Ms Lee Allen had also voiced concerns that no research had been made into having both electricity and telecommunications emissions on a residential population.

But approval was granted by a majority decision at last week's meeting of the council's planning committee meeting.

They had to make a quick decision as, if the 42 day deadline was broken, permission would have to be granted anyway.

Haslington Cllr Dawn Threadgold advised caution.

"There is not enough knowledge about them and it is easy to be wise after the event so I'm voting against."

Cllr Howard Curran said: "We see more and more people with mobile phones. Let's ban them and then we wouldn't need masts but you can't do that and if people need them, they need masts.

"There's no alternative to progress and we need to produce very hard evidence to support the case there is a health problem. Without that it is unwise to refuse."

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