A CONTROVERSIAL application to extend a phone mast, situated near a Hartlepool primary school has been rejected by councillors.
Phone company Orange had applied to add five metres to its mast at High Tunstall Farm, in Coniscliffe Road, so it could share facilities with Vodafone.
But Hartlepool borough councillors yesterday agreed with planning officers that the higher mast would look unsightly, and could cause health problems to people living in the area.
The council received 34 letters of objection from the public, two petitions against the scheme and a child health questionnaire, after the original application from Orange was received.
When deciding the future of the mast, which is close to West Park Primary School, councillors also considered their ruling, earlier this year, not to approve future mobile masts until more is known about their potential health risks.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereComments are closed on this article