PLANS for a mobile phone mast on a mill in Briercliffe look set to be approved despite objections from local residents.

A petition signed by 490 people living near King's Mill, in Queen Street, has been handed to Burnley Council ahead of a meeting of the development control committee on Thursday to discuss the proposals.

Objections have also been received from ward councillor and the borough's mayor, Coun Margaret Lishman; Friends of the Earth, and the anti-mast campaign group Together Against Masts (TAM), which organised the petition.

The owners of the Jack and Jill playgroup, held at the nearby Community Centre, in Jubilee Street, have also written to the council urging it to block the plans.

All those who have objected to the planning application are concerned about the potential health risks and visual impact of the mast in a conservation area.

But in a report to the development control committee, planning officers have recommended that the plans are given the green light.

Two other potential sites were considered for the mast but King's Mill was felt to be the most suitable.

But according to the report, the antennas, dish and other equipment planned would not detract from the character and appearance of the conservation area as it will be positioned to minimise the impact on views and would be camouflaged to match the colour of the chimney.

The report also states that the emissions from the equipment would fall well below the public exposure guidelines and therefore is not considered to be a threat to people's health.

TAM will hold a public meeting tomorrow to discuss the issue, as well as other proposed mobile phone masts in Burnley.

It will be at the Sion Baptist Church, in Church Lane, from 7pm.

For more information about the meeting or about TAM, call Dennis Cannon on 01282 771635.