A MAJOR mobile telephone company is at the centre of a row over the effects of technology on Blackpool's skyline and fears about the health dangers of radio frequency radiation.

Planning permission was sought by Orange for mobile phone masts on top of the Warbreck water tower, owned by United Utilities, but not for the cabling running down the outside of the tower which Coun Peter Callow has branded "an eyesore". Complaints have been taken up by the planning department and principle planning officer, Ian Ward, explained: "We have been in touch with Orange to point out that there is no planning permission for the cabling and they suggested that they would paint it to be in keeping with the building.

"But they haven't contacted us since about their plans. I tried to call them back recently but the person responsible wasn't available."

A spokesperson for Orange said: "Orange acknowledge the cabling is visible, but this site is still 'in build'. We will put a cable tray cover over the cabling which will be painted in keeping with the water tower. We are in correspondence with Blackpool planning department."

But another row over mobile phone technology still rages in Blackpool Council after a motion brought by Tory Coun Sue Fowler to halt the proliferation of mobile phone masts on council property was defeated in last month's full council meeting by 23 votes to 17.

Coun Fowler said: "Experts cannot say categorically that there are no risks -- they have decided to err on the side of caution. This is a real 21st century issue and we should have learned from crises like BSE that we need to pre-empt problems like this."

Council leader Coun George Bancroft said: "The council is awaiting official Government guidelines due to be issued in response to the Stewart Inquiry. It didn't rule out the risk from masts, but the greatest risk is from mobile phones themselves, especially for children."

An Orange spokesperson pointed out: "A typical Orange transmitter site operates at levels many hundreds of times below national and international guidelines." Coun Bancroft added: "Masts were previously exempt from needing planning permission by 'permitted development rights' which are being revoked, so in future worried residents and parents will have the right to officially object and appeal decisions." Coun Fowler responded: "I don't dispute the risks from phones, but radiation from masts affects the whole body, not just the head.

"We must encourage everyone, particularly the governors of schools approached about siting masts in their grounds, to place health above economics. There are still gaps in our knowledge on this issue which justify a precautionary approach, at least until the next report is due in 2004."

VISIBLE: The cabling on the water tower