A MOBILE phone mast is to be installed in the rear car park of a social club in Blackhill, Consett.

Derwentside District Council's planning committee has approved the application from telecommunications company Hutchinson 3G.

It wants to install a 15-metre pole, three antennae, a 30-centimetre dish and house radio equipment near Blackhill Comrades Club, in Ridley Street.

The development is 50 metres away from the nearest houses and while canvassing public opinion, the applicant said it received one response raising concerns about the potential impact on public health.

Residents were notified about the proposals by the council and a notice was put up on the site, but no responses were submitted.

The applicant told planners it had considered a number of other sites in the area, including Church Road Street Works, the Telephone Exchange, Parliament Street and Blackhill Baptist Church.

They were assessed against a number of factors, including sensitive land issues, siting and appearance, planning issues and the opinion of the community before the company decided to apply for permission to build in Ridley Street.

Consultant planning officer Tom O'Connor said: "No schools, colleges or hospitals are within the immediate area. Residential areas are sited directly to the north of the site across Ridley Street and on the other side of Derwentdale Industrial Estate to the west.

"The character of the surroundings is therefore predominantly industrial, comprising two and three-storey industrial in the two main complexes to the east, an industrial estate of smaller units to the west and open land and storage to the south.

"The applicant has indicated in their submission that alternative sites have been considered and assessed within the locality and the siting and design of the telecommunications mast behind buildings within an industrial area will serve to minimise its impact on the locality."

Planning councillors agreed with recommendations to approve the plan.