A PRIMARY school headmaster has launched a scathing attack on Bury's planning bosses, branding them "cowardly and irresponsible" over their policy on siting mobile phone masts.

Dennis Harrison believes young lives are being put at risk at Guardian Angels RC Primary in Bury by their approval of expansion plans for a nearby telecommunications tower.

And one councillor on Bury's planning control sub-committee has offered to resign her post after publicly backing objectors against the scheme

Mr Harrison spoke out as planning committee members decided to allow Orange to upgrade the existing equipment cabin at the base of a controversial 15-metre tower at Elton Working Men's Club in Leigh Lane.

The tower was built in 1999 despite objections from residents, the parish priest, parents and Guardian Angels' headteacher on health grounds.

However, planners say they are unable to consider health fears in relation to the application.

Speaking on behalf of objectors, Mr Harrison said: "To allow a telecommunications mast to be developed just because science cannot prove long-term health problems is a disgrace.

"It is much wiser to err on the side of caution and be remembered as a cautious and considered council as to throw caution to the wind and to be responsible for what may hold serious detriment to children. "I totally abhor the cowardly and irresponsible stance taken over this matter."

He added: "It is my opinion that the council has failed in its duty to protect the public.

"The installation is an appalling eyesore and the council needs to see the outcome of its ill-advised decision before hurrying into amplifying it."

Guardian Angels is currently spending around £65,000 improving the building and surrounding grounds in an effort to improve the environment for its pupils.

But Mr Harrison believes the school's efforts have been wasted.

He said: "It is a sad indictment on our society that this horrific installation was positioned near a school in the first place.

"It shatters the chance of ever reaching the environment for the children to learn in that they deserve."

Councillor Denise Bigg took the unusual step of openly supporting the objectors against telecommunication mast applications during the committee meeting.

She said: "If, by supporting the objectors, I have to step down from the planning committee then that is something I am prepared to do." Fellow councillor Dorothy Cassidy dismissed the objections to the latest expansion scheme, re-iterating the council's inability to use health grounds as a reason to refuse the scheme.

She added: "We cannot object to a mast that is already there."

Six members of the committee voted in favour of the application, one voted against and three councillors abstained. Mr Harrison added: "To extend the site is an abuse of the human rights of our children."