A CONTROVERSIAL 17.5metre phone mast which faced more than 10 public objections has been given the go ahead.

Hyndburn Planning Committee approved the proposals submitted to them by Vodaphone for the tower and four cabinets in Thwaites Road, Oswaldtwistle.

In total 13 objections were received by the council opposing the plans, which include worries over health effects and concerns it would be an ‘eyesore’.

However, the majority of the planning committee voted to agree with the delegated report from the council recommending the plans are approved with conditions.

The report said: “Given the lack of alternative sites in the area, the proposal is acceptable in respect of its siting and as base stations such as this one are now becoming accepted infrastructure element in the street scene.”

The steel monopole will be 17.5metres tall at the telecommunications base station and will provide Vodafone and O2 customers with 3G and 4G services.

A spokesman for CTIL, which Vodafone are part of, said the plans would ‘have the least visual impact whilst still providing coverage’.