ALTON Town Council has allowed the Chawton Park Indoor Bowls Club to continue negotiations with BT Cellnet, over the installation of a 15-metre mobile phone mast on the site.

The bowls club has been in talks with BT Cellnet over the mast, but require permission from the town council as landlord of the site, before any planning applications can be submitted.

The town councilÕs planning committee had previously objected to the proposals, which were brought up again at the last meeting of the policy and resources committee.

When under discussion by this committee, feelings were mixed and it was decided that the proposal should be put in front of the full founcil for decision.

The plans propose the installation of a 15-metre high lattice mast with a ground-based equipment cabin. The plans claim that both mast and cabin would be painted olive green to reduce impact, and would be largely shielded by existing vegetation.

Again, members feelings were distinctly mixed. Dave Crocker said: ÒWe appeared to be divided at the policy and resources meeting, so we needed to bring this proposal in front of full council to get a true reflection of our opinions.

ÒWe have had several applications for such masts, each of which we have judged on its own merits. This is what clearly needs to be done here.Ó

Pam Bradford disagreed. She said: ÒI do not own a mobile phone, I cannot stand them, and I canÕt support this application I am very concerned that the site is right next to the BrowniesÕ hut when the effects of radiation caused by these masts is still unknown.

ÒThere is also the fact that there will soon be dozens of new houses built across the road, bringing these possibly harmful effects into the lives of even more children.Ó

Mrs BradfordÕs views were echoed by colleague Bob Evans, who labelled mobile phones as an ÒabominationÓ, and resolved to object on principle.

Peter Whitmarsh took a different view however. He said: ÒWe have to apply common sense here. Most people now use mobile phones, 70 per cent of the population according to BT Cellnet.

ÒIf most people use these phones, to deny permission due to a general dislike would be wrong. Also, most of this council uses a mobile phone, and so to deny for this reason would also be hypocritical.Ó

John Smith said that the decision made by the planning committee had been a little hasty, and that he had changed his mind after originally opposing the mast.

ÒWe are going to get these masts somewhere; it is inevitable. We have an opportunity here though, because at least we might get some control over this one.

ÒI donÕt believe that the mast will affect any children, and the plans show that the mast will be fairly well screened.Ó

When put to the vote, landlordÕs consent was granted by a majority of five to two, meaning that the bowls club will be allowed to sub-lease the land to BT if planning applications are successful.

The council also agreed that the planning committee should not object to the granting of planning permission, provided that the plans put in front of the councillors do not change in any way.

Chawton Park Bowls Club receive around £3,500 per year from BT for the use of the site, a sum of which the town council will seek to claim half.