By Staff Reporter
Comment

A school has lost its battle against the siting of new mobile phone masts on a nearby mill.

Governors at Sunning Hill Primary school, around 500 yards away from the Grade II listed Swan Mills in Higher Swan Lane, Daubhill, had written to Bolton Council calling for the scheme to be shelved on health grounds.

But six new antennae have been given the go-ahead by planning bosses - taking the total number at the complex to 16.
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Headteacher Paul Read said: "We would prefer it if this mast was not here and our governors felt they had a duty to object.

"I hope and assume the councillors know about the health issues and how close the school is."

A report by planning officer Helen Williams said the mill was of "national importance in architectural and historical terms".

But recommending approval, she said the 02 antennae would be painted to match the brickwork and would be installed on the side of the building so it was not visible on the skyline.

She said that conservation officers had advised that the mast would not harm the character of the building, but added: "The officers are however concerned that too much development of this nature will eventually cause harm to the appearance and character of the mills."

Antennae already in place at the three buildings complex belong to several companies including T-Mobile, Orange, Vodafone and 3.

John Oliver, owner of the mills, said he was negotiating a "rent" with O2 which would be about £6,000 a year.

He said: "That will be a valuable income which will help us to further develop the mills for employment use."

A spokesman for O2 said the application had met guidelines on emissions.

It was accompanied by an International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection certificate.