RESIDENTS in Barnoldswick are hoping their overwhelming opposition to plans for a mobile phone mast in a field off Folly Lane will be taken into account by councillors before they make a decision.

A large number of people plan to attend the West Craven Committee meeting on Tuesday to hear the decision on the proposals. Council officers have recommended the plans from BT Cellnet be approved, which would mean the installation of a 12.5 metre high mast with four antennae and two microwave dishes, equipment cabins and a 2.3 metre high fence.

But residents have submitted petitions and letters of objection against the mast which they believe will be an 'eyesore' and spoil a beautiful view.

Some of the points are that the untouched hillside is an essential part of Barnoldswick's rural character, the site can be seen for miles around, there could be a health risk to residents, particularly the large number of children living nearby, and damage to the environment.

Margaret Taylforth, of Manchester Road, said: "I think it will be a blot on the landscape and is too near the houses. The people in Manchester Road have a beautiful panoramic view of the countryside which is a selling point so they don't want a mast stuck in front of them.

"Surely it could be put somewhere further from the houses. I know it's not proven that there are health risks but I am very concerned about it and there must be a reasonable alternative. This is a matter of great importance and a worry."

"I am sure there will be a lot of people at the meeting because there is a lot of concern about it. If it is proven there are health risks further down the line it is too late then."

Her views are shared by residents in many of the nearby streets including Colne Road, Sycamore Avenue, Gillians Lane, Bancroft Fold, Folly Cottage, Smith Street and at Lower Stanridge Cottage, Standridge Farm and Newfield Edge House.

Councillor Frank Neal, chairman of Barnoldswick Town Council, lives approximately 200 yards from the mast site.

He said: "I have handed in a petition with 200 names on it and there was another one with 30 names on it. Everyone is absolutely amazed that they can even think of putting it there and even more so that the council officers are recommending it.

"It is a beautiful hillside and it is going to be spoilt. Environmentally it's disgusting. One of the residents was telling me that a few weeks ago he had his house valued for insurance purposes. He told me that he went back and told them about the mast and asked if it would make a difference and was told it could mean £100,000 difference.

"If Pendle Council decide yes you can build that here who pays him the compensation which I am sure he should get."

Coun Neal was originally told he could not speak on the issue because he is involved with it due to living in the area concerned but he has asked the borough solicitor to look at where he lives to see if it would be possible afterall.

He said: "It's ridiculous that I can't speak on this."

The mast would be approxiately 170 metres from the nearest house and 80 metres from Folly Lane which is a public bridleway.

BT Cellnet have provided the council with cell plot maps to demonstrate the need for a mast to improve coverage in the Barnoldswick area. It is a requirement of BT Cellnet's licence that they must improve coverage across the country.

Principal planning officer, Janet Filbin, said in a report to the committee: "Given the need for the mast to improve coverage and the lack of alternative less obtrusive sites, it is considered that the impact of the pole, headframe and equipment boxes is acceptable with the backdrop of the hillside subject to details of painting of the pole, tree planting and landscaping and dry stone walling to surround the site."