A CONTROVERSIAL proposal to install a mobile phone mast near a Bootle school will go before Sefton Council’s planning committee tonight (Thursday).
It is expected that the plans to site a T Mobile phone mast on the corner of the pavement at the junction of Orrell Mount and Hawthorne Road will go ahead.
The 15m high monopole and equipment cabinets would be sited on the pavement in front of the Orrell Mount Industrial Estate, 80m from houses and 150m from St Wilfrid’s High School.
A letter objecting to the plans was submitted by the school as well as three letters from residents in Rose Avenue, Walker Drive and Hawthorne Road.
They complained it is too close to the school, houses and major redevelopment schemes; there is a lack of information about the health impact and it would have detrimental affect on the appearance of the road.
However has been recommended that prior approval should be granted by councillors at tonight’s meeting at Bootle Town Hall.
In his report to the committee, Andy Wallis, Sefton Council’s planning and economic regeneration director said: “The proposal will not have a detrimental impact on the visual amenity of the area, nor on nearby residential properties and schools, therefore approval is recommended.”
In his report he comments that The Stewart Report on the health affects of mobile phone masts concluded that there was no general risk.
Mr Wallis said: “There is substantial independent expert opinion that indicates that exposure levels from living near to a mobile phone base station are not likely to pose any risk to health.”
The report states that when Sefton Council has refused applications for masts they are generally given the go-ahead if an appeal is made.
Mr Wallis added: “The monopole and cabinets are sited sufficiently far from houses and the school not to have any direct detrimental impact on residents and schoolchildren.”
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