Local MP joins councillors and residents' group in opposition to phone mast

3.26.18pm GMT Mon 2nd Mar 2009

John Leech is opposed to the plans that would see the present mast replaced with a larger one

Liberal Democrat MP for Withington, John Leech, has joined local councillors and West Didsbury Residents' Association to block plans to increase the size of a mobile phone mast outside Withington Community Hospital.

Developers had planned to replace the present mast with a larger one, but following representations from Mr Leech and local councillor, Norman Lewis, the council's Planning Department has announced that it will block the proposals.

John Leech said:

"When approval was granted for the smaller mast despite massive opposition, we were told that only a small mast was necessary. We were then told that a tree was in the way so the mast needed to be extended."

"A larger mast would be a real eye-sore for local residents, so we will be fighting these plans all the way and I welcome the Planning Department's assurances that they will act to block the proposals."

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