Plans submitted for a new 20 metre high 5G telephone mast have been refused by the council despite being recommended for approval.

The plans involved moving and upgrading an existing 20 metre pole near a Texaco garage in Chorley New Road, Horwich, a small distance up the road towards Horwich, in front of residential houses.

As well as moving the existing pole, the plans involved adding six more cabinets to the site to facilitate the upgrade to 5G.

The plans were roundly rejected by the council at a meeting of the planning committee on Thursday (August 20) afternoon, with the Horwich North East Ward councillor, Cllr Richard Silvester, strongly recommending refusal at the meeting.

He said: "These new plans are still directly in front of residential properties.

"They could look at alternative site away from these houses.

"Horwich Town Council also discussed these plans and they've recommended they be refused.

"I put forward three other sites to the developer, such as behind the Texaco on Chorley New Road and in Fowler Industrial Estate but they didn't even consider them. I'm not impresses."

Other councillor also raised these concerns about the adverse affect this development would have on existing residents.

Cllr Elaine Sherrington and Cllr Nick Peel also raised concerns about where and how six new cabinets would be placed and if approving this plan would set a dangerous precedent of telecommunications companies expecting these developments to be approved, despite the impact on residents, simply because the government says more 5G coverage is needed.

Four councillors overall were in favour of this plan being approved, including Cllr Andrew Morgan, who said: "I find it very difficult to see what grounds there are for refusal because the pole is already there.

"We need more coverage if we want to be a technical Bolton so there's definitely grounds for approval."

After the meeting Cllr Silvester said: "I am delighted that the plans have been thrown out.

"I just think it is wrong to place these mobile phone masts right in front of residential properties. The applicant should now find another location away from houses to site the mast and all of the equipment cabinets.

"A number of local residents objected and I am very pleased that the Planning Committee decided that the proposals were unacceptable."