They are springing up all over town and often prove unpopular, usually because of their appearance and concerns over health implications. But are mobile phone masts really a danger? VICTORIA TAGG reports

Mobile phone masts are increasingly being installed on top of town centre buildings by companies keen to increase their network coverage.

Swindon Council does not know how many mobile telephone masts have been put up because many do not need planning permission.

And the council is powerless to stop masts being mounted unless they are deemed a serious blot on the landscape.

Ian Halsall, planning officer at Swindon Council, said: "We do not know how many masts are in the town. Unless they exceed a certain size, they can be put up without planning permission. There are no hard and fast rules. We have planning policy guidance from the Government and these tend to go in favour of the phone operators rather than residents."

The council has recently compiled a database including 300 applications and notifications for masts of all sizes and designs. Although masts below 15 metres high do not require planning permission, companies should submit an application for prior approval to register their presence.

Mr Halsall explained: "Although mobile phone operators must legally notify us, a general permitted development order gives automatic permission for masts under 15 metres.

"Even when masts exceed the automatic permitted height and require full planning permission, this decision can only be reached on aesthetic grounds. Planners make their judgment according to sighting and design."

Swindon Council receives around five planning applications a year for mast sightings. Often they are opposed by the community because they are deemed either unsightly or a hazard because of radiation emissions.

But safety is not generally considered an issue.

Mr Halsall said: "Safety does not enter the equation. We rely on the operators to tell us whether they are safe. The operators are bound by their own health and safety legislation. As yet there is no conclusive proof that they are dangerous."

Each operator must submit an ICNIRP declaration, which means the equipment complies with the International Commission for Non Ionising Radiation Protection. Radiation must be below a certain level of exposure to comply.

In 2000 the Government commissioned a report, called Mobile Phones and Health, which investigated the safety of mobile phone masts, the sites of which are called base stations.

It concluded: "The balance of evidence indicates that there is no general risk to health to people living close to base stations."

The report also advised councils not to implement their own precautionary policies, including bans or moratoriums, on masts.

However, it made one concession to help public consultation. Previously councils had only 24 days to decide prior approval cases. These cases concern all masts under 15 metres. This period was extended to 54 days, giving councils more time to gauge public response.

Mr Halsall said: "Fortunately we now have more time to let the public know and explain the planning procedure. If the mast site proves particularly controversial, we also have longer to mount a refusal."

Council planning officers have delegated powers to authorise masts of any height without taking the application to committee. When strong public objections are received, planning officers try to take the matter to committee, whether it concerns prior approval or planning permission.

Yet even if masts are refused planning permission, they can still be installed and stay in place for six months under emergency planning laws.

This is the case at the now derelict Princess Margaret Hospital, where three 25-metre masts have been erected despite planning permission being refused.

Mr Halsall said: "During this six month period we have no influence on the height or design of the masts. But mobile phone operators must prove they are essential to maintain signals to their customers. After this emergency period, a full planning application must be submitted."

Swindon Council encourages operators to share masts. Storing them on high buildings rather than scaffold structures to reduce visibility is also advised.

In future Mr Halsall anticipates changes in the planning procedure.

He said: "In 1995 the planning legislation was relaxed so the mobile phone infrastructure could be set up without a barrage of paperwork. Without it, councils would have been inundated with hundreds of planning applications. Although the infrastructure is now partly in place, telecommunication technology is constantly changing. And at the moment planning regulations are clearly on the side of mobile phone operators."