A BILL to give local authorities greater powers to reject applications from mobile phone companies will be debated in the House of Commons on March 5.It is being sponsored by West Suffolk Tory MP Richard Spring who said masts under 16 metres in height did not need planning consent.

By Graham Dines

A BILL to give local authorities greater powers to reject applications from mobile phone companies will be debated in the House of Commons on March 5.

It is being sponsored by West Suffolk Tory MP Richard Spring who said masts under 16 metres in height did not need planning consent. "There have been a number of cases where masts have been approved on appeal by the Planning Inspectorate - after being rejected by the local authority - even though their location has caused huge upset with local residents," said Mr Spring.