A CONTROVERSIAL planning application to mount a telecommunications mast in Lindal-in-Furness has been turned down.

Hutchinson Telecommunic-ations applied to Barrow Borough Council for permission to put up a 30-metre lattice tower at Church Farm.

The council said it received numerous objections from residents and that several people voiced their concerns at a meeting of the planning committee before members voted on the application.

A spokeswoman for the council said members turned down the application because of the visual impact it would have on the area.

Governors and the Parent Teachers Association at Lindal and Marton Primary School objected to the application on health grounds.

Head teacher of the 80-pupil school Dave Barlow said: “We were concerned because if given the go ahead it would have meant 3G micro emissions passing right through the school from the mast.

“We discovered some research that has been carried out in Holland which said people who were subject to the emissions felt nausea, experienced headaches and had tingling sensations in their body.

“We know this does not prove the emissions are harmful but we are talking about children and you don’t take a risk with their health.” Mr Barlow said he was pleased the council had taken the school’s objections on board.