THREE mobile phone masts are set to be put up in Hyndburn despite campaigns to stop them.

Despite a 500-signature application opposing the siting of one of the new masts, members of Hyndburn Council's development services committee said they had no choice but to give the masts their blessing.

Strict government laws means mobile phone companies do not have to ask for planning permission for new masts, they simply have to give more than 40 days prior notification to local authorities so they can give their comments.

Councils can only block applications if they feel they would have a detrimental effect on a local landscape, and cannot refuse them on health grounds.

At yesterday's meeting, three applications from One2One were presented, two of which were in Clayton-le-Moors and one in Baxenden.

A 500-signature petition and letter from the headteacher of The Hollins High School was presented in opposition to the Baxenden mast, which is eight metres high and will be sited next to the village's new community garden which is under construction at the junction of Manchester Road and Southwood Drive.

Residents argued it would be detrimental to the the appearance of the community garden and posed health hazards for people who would use the garden.

But councillors were told planning officers believed the mast would blend in with existing street furniture, including eight-foot high telegraph pole and 10-foot high lamp posts.

One2One said the site would be used to improve network coverage and help deal with the increased call traffic they are experiencing in the area.

The One2One masts in Clayton-le-Moors will be located off a footpath in Victoria Street and on Henry Street. All three masts will boost reception in the area and council officers said mast-sharing was not an option in any of the areas.