A COUNCIL meeting descended into farce when members first refused, then deferred and finally passed a controversial planning application as councillors stormed out of the meeting.

At first, councillors on Sedgefield Borough Council refused permission for a mobile telephone mast on Newton Aycliffe Industrial Estate.

Then the decision was rescinded and deferred, before members did an about-turn and granted permission for the mast.

The application for a 21m Vodaphone mast at Aycliffe Sewage Works drew objections from residents in Aycliffe Village and parents of children in the nearby Clarence Day Nursery, who were worried about potential health risks.

But council planning officers said the level of exposure to emissions would be well below stringent international regulations.

Councillor Billy Blenkinsopp, who proposed refusing permission, said: "The Vodaphone phones work in Aycliffe Village and Newton Aycliffe so why do they want it in this particular spot? There's something seriously wrong about this application, and we do not want it in Aycliffe Village."

Councillors voted by five to four to refuse planning permission for the mast.

But director of planning John Litherland told members: "We have to have a reason for refusal which we can defend.

"If we make an irresponsible decision, the council stands to have the costs awarded against it at an appeal."

Councillor Don Fraser, who voted to approve the mast, proposed a motion to rescind the decision, but it did not receive enough support.

Councillor Bob Fleming said there were too many masts in the area. Not enough consideration was given for shared use, and he was not convinced of the need for a mast.

But Mr Litherland said none of those were valid planning reasons,saying: "Officers from this council are going to have to go in front of an inspector and defend this - for goodness sake give us something to defend.

"This will bring the planning authority into disrepute."

Councillor John Burton said the council was in danger of becoming a laughing stock and withdrew from the meeting.

He was later joined by Coun Fraser.

The stalemate continued until Coun Blenkinsopp proposed rescinding the original decision, and this time it was supported.

Faced with no alternative, he then proposed a motion to approve the mobile telephone mast, and it was finally granted planning permission