PLANS for a 33ft-high mobile phone mast on green belt land have sparked protests.

Telecoms giant T-Mobile has submitted an application to Bolton Council to build a phone mast on land adjacent to Great Lever and Farnworth Golf Course club house in Plodder Lane, Farnworth.

The application is due to be considered by committee members on January 26.

But there is concern about the number of masts already in the area, and locals have vowed to fight the proposals.

Cllr Andrew Morgan, who represents the Hulton ward, said: "I would be interested to know if the applicant has looked into the possibility of mast-sharing, as there already seems to be a number of masts in this area - in fact, there's another mast less than half a mile away at the low level reservoir just off Plodder Lane.

"We also need to take into account the fact it is in a green belt area and the impact on the visual and public amenity."

Hulton Cllr Phil Ashcroft said: "The jury is still out on what effect electromagnetic signals have on peoples health. This site would be sited away from peoples homes, but I think if theres a possibility the mobile companies can share masts then they should do it."

The issue of mobile phone masts being sited in densely populated areas has been heavily debated. A national pressure group, Mast Sanity, is currently in the process of gathering signatures for a petition which calls on the government to curtail the erection of masts in light of scientific evidence which they claim shows humans can be adversley affected.

The land which relates to the Farnworth application is owned by Peel Holdings Ltd, who also own some of the land on which the golf club is built.

Golf club treasurer Fred Parkinson said: "We will only enter into discussions once planning permission has been approved and there is a firm proposal."

Bolton planning officer Alex Allen said: "We're currently carrying out a consultation with residents living in adjacent properties.

"The mast would be sited along the driveway to the golf club just by the entrance to the main car park on the right-hand side.

"No recommendations have yet been made, but we will be taking into account the location within a green belt."