PEOPLE power has triumphed in two battles to prevent mobile phone masts from being built in residential areas.

Planners threw out proposals for two masts following a wave of objections - despite council officers recommending they should be given the green light.

Dozens of worried homeowners flooded the town hall with letters of objection about the proposed masts in Harwood and Smithills and phone firm T-Mobile has been forced to draw up new plans.

T-Mobile applied to build a 12 metre high mast, which would imitate a street lamp, on Hardy Mill Road, opposite Greenwood Lane, but planners agreed with residents that it would have proved to be an eyesore.

The planning committee also rejected a move by the same company for a 14.7 metre high mast on a footpath within Green Belt land at Doffcocker Lodge, in Smithills.

Councillors said it would have detracted from the wildlife haven. Health fears were also a factor in rejecting the plans.

Cllr Richard Silvester, who represents the Smithills ward, said phone companies would not be allowed to erect masts in residential areas or at beauty spots.

"Both of these proposals were completely unsuitable for their surroundings and residents were not happy," he said.

"We will take their concerns very seriously on every planning matter."

Two more applications for phone masts were approved at the meeting last Thursday.

O2 was given permission to create a 20 metre high mast on the site of W Martin and Sons haulage yard, off James Street, Westhoughton.

The plans had also come under fire from residents but was approved.

A similar sized mast will be built on land at Regents Park Golf Club, off Links Road, Lostock.