A NORTH-EAST MEP is supporting a community's fight to stop a mobile phone mast being erected near a primary school, in what could be a landmark case.

Orange has appealed after it was refused permission for the phone mast in Darlington, in November.

Despite recommendations from planning officers at Darlington Borough Council to allow the mast to be built, the authority's planning committee refused permission on health grounds.

Orange wants to erect a 11.5m phone mast in Coniscliffe Road, near St Augustine's Primary School, because it needs to extend radio coverage in the area and says there are no alternative sites for the mast.

But North-East MEP Stephen Hughes has written to the planning inspectorate, which will make the final decision on the mast, to support the council's decision to refuse permission.

Never before has the planning inspectorate upheld such a decision.

Mr Hughes said: "What we are hoping is that this will be the landmark case that changes planning policy on this.

"Although planners are advised they cannot refuse permission for these phone masts on health grounds, because it is not compelling evidence, perceived fear is considered a legitimate consideration, and I think there is a fear about this.

"We have an awful lot of support in the area, everyone has been writing in, and if the appeal upholds the council's decision it will be a landmark decision."

In his letter to the planning inspectorate, Mr Hughes says: "In this case, in Darlington, the public repeatedly expressed fears over the possible long-term health effects on local children, who would be exposed to electromagnetic fields and waves on a daily basis throughout their early education."

Mr Hughes said the fact there was no consistent evidence about the effect of microwaves on humans, did not mean there was no health hazard.

In its grounds of appeal, Orange uses evidence from a review by the Independent Advisory Group on Non-Ionising Radiation, which concludes that overall evidence indicates mobile phone masts are unlikely to pose a risk to health.

The deadline for anyone wanting to comment on the appeal is tomorrow.

Comments can be sent to: 3/26 Hawk Wing, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Temple Quay, Bristol, BS1 6PN.

A decision is expected to be made within the next two months.