COUNCILS cannot turn down planning applications for mobile phone masts on the grounds that they may harm health.
New government guidelines come as Wigan Council says it is having to deal with a huge increase in planning applications from telecoms companies and growing opposition from local communities.
The government states that the planning criteria councillors are allowed to consider are visual appearance, sympathetic design or intrusion in the green belt, but they cannot insist the masts are built a minimum distance from existing buildings.
But in future phone companies and councils must consult school governors if there are plans to put up a mast nearby and different companies will be encouraged to share masts to cut down on clutter.
Full planning permission for masts only has to sought for those over 15 metres high. Below that height phone companies simply have to inform the council of their intentions.
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