RESIDENTS in Lostock battling to stop more homes being built on their leafy roads now have another battle on their hands to block an application for a new mobile phone mast.

As previously reported in the BEN, campaigners and local councillors say they are becoming increasingly concerned about the amount of development going on in the area.

They have already launched a campaign to block plans to build 21 new flats in the area and have recently set up a website to warn people about planning applications.

And they have now vowed to fight the application for a new 10 metre high mobile phone mast at the junction of Chorley New Road and Briksdal Way.

Mr Roy Walmsley, from Regent Road, said: "The mast would be a terrible eye sore for Chorley New Road and that is before we even consider the health risks it could pose."

Mr Walmsley and his fellow campaigners have now sent out letters to every home asking them to protest against the application.

He added: "We are determined to block this application. It is yet another example of how Lostock is being destroyed for the sake of building and we are not going to accept it." Bolton North-east MP David Crausby has welcomed a new Government consultation paper on the development of telecommunication masts.

He said: "Due to the growth in the UK mobile communications sector, telecommunication mast development will inevitably increase. The general public are quite rightly concerned with the possible health effects and visual menace associated with the siting of base stations and transmitters."

He added: "Although I accept that modern telecommunications are essential and beneficial elements in the life of the local community and the national economy, the government has a responsibility for protecting public health and keeping environmental impact to a minimum.

"Pre-development discussions should take place well in advance, especially when considering siting them in sensitive areas such as schools and residential areas."

One2One spokesman Nicola Whitehead said: "One2One is satisfied that our mobile phone bases strictly comply with national and international guidelines and are safe and do not present any risk to any member of the public."