TOO little too late is the verdict on Government action over mobile phone mast fears by a Radcliffe-based campaign group.

A change in the law has been announced which proposes that 56 days should be given to decide on planning applications for masts.

But the Campaign for Planning Sanity has dismissed this as mere "gloss".

Chairman Mr Chris Maile, of Outwood Road said: "Nothing is really changing, other than the level of public consultation and the length of time allowed for decisions to be made.

"Local authorities need to be given real teeth to take into account local concerns. Until that happens it is business as usual and distress to thousands of local communities nationwide. That is not acceptable." He has criticised the legislation for failing to implement exclusion zones and not bringing phone masts into the full planning process.

"If a decision is not made during the 56-day period then permission becomes automatic. In full planning, if a decision is not made within the time limit, there may be a public inquiry," said Mr Maile.

He added: "The Government is again clearly failing to realise the extent to which local communities are concerned at the potential health risks from base stations by including within their statement the reiteration of the view that health grounds should not be taken into account.

"The proposed measures fall far short of what is needed, do nothing to address fears and are a missed opportunity to get this controversial planning issue right."