CONTROVERSIAL plans to install a phone mast near to a supermarket petrol station have been blocked.

Vodafone had hoped to erect the antennae next to an existing T-Mobile mast near to Morrisons in Harwood.

But members of Bolton Councils' Planning and Highways Committee were caught in deadlock with 10 voting for the plans and 10 against.

The casting vote went to chairman of the committee, Cllr Sean Hornby, vetoed the plans, sealing the mast's refusal.

Vodafone had hoped to erect a 12.4 metre high mast supporting three antennae in Lea Gate.

It would have been 35 metres away from the existing T-Mobile mast which is 11.7 metres high.

George Oliver, representing Vodafone, said: "This application is to address 3G coverage in the area.

"It is required to provide good levels of cover. This is a target area due to a hole in coverage."

No-one spoke against the proposal but it was noted that four letters of objection had been received and a petition of 149 signatures was handed in by the Bradshaw Residents Association Group.

It was suggested by councillors in the meeting that Vodafone could share the-Mobile mast.

Cllr Diana Brierley said: "I am concerned that there is an exisitng mast then another could be not far away. My biggest worry is that the new one will be nearby, then another company comes along and we get a whole line of them.

"Not enough companies look at mast sharing."

There were also concerns that the appearance and the site of the mast would be unsuitable.

Mr Oliver said sharing a mast woukld be mean the existing antennae growing in height.