A COUNCILLOR is calling for a change in the law after planning inspectors gave plans for a mobile phone mast the go ahead.

Darlington Borough Council refused permission for Orange to build the 11.5 metre phone mast in Coniscliffe Road in November last year, due to fears over health risks, as the mast would be near St Augustine's primary school.

Parents had hoped the council's decision would be upheld at appeal, but the inspector decided there were no grounds for refusing permission and allowed the appeal by Orange.

But now, local councillor Cyndi Hughes is urging the Government to review the law on phone masts.

"Many of my constituents in Park East contacted the Planning Inspector to express their fears about the possible health implications.

"These people are not scare-mongerers but concerned, engaged citizens who feel that until the long-term health effects are known the Government should be siting these masts away from schools, nurseries, hospitals and any other places where young people spend time.

"I am disappointed with the Planning Inspector's decision and feel that the only way I can articulate my constituents' concerns is to call for a review of the law."

Coun Hughes has written to Public Health Minister Melanie Johnson MP calling for an urgent re-think of government policy towards phone masts in view of growing public concern over their siting near schools.

In allowing Orange's appeal, the Planning Inspector said Government guidelines stated that if the mast adhered to guidelines published by the International Committee on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection, planning authorities should not consider health risks.

As the Orange mast would comply with these guidelines, health risks were not a consideration for the planning authorities.

He added: "A perceived fear that could affect the amenity of an area, even when not based upon scientific fact, is capable of being a material consideration."

But he then added that as the mast would look like nearby lampposts it would not stimulate fear among residents and this was not a reason for refusing permission.

He went on to say: "I conclude that the appeal proposal would not be likely to cause material harm to schoolchildren."

In its grounds of appeal, Orange used evidence from the Independent Advisory Group on Non-Ionising Radiation, which concluded that overall evidence indicates mobile phone masts were unlikely to pose a risk to health.