Six members of Inverclyde Planning Board  -- five Labour and one Liberal Democrat -- decided to reject T-Mobile’s application for a 15-metre replica flagpole mast at the club in Brisbane Street.

Their grounds for refusal were that there were health implications having a mast near a school – Greenock Academy.

But councils are told by the Government not to take mobile phone mast health questions into consideration when deciding on permission.

Head of planning Fraser Williamson had recommended approval.

Councillor Alan Blair, one of five councillors who voted for the mast, said: “The grounds for refusal are almost certainly unsustainable at appeal.”

He pointed out that there could be an award of appeal expenses against the council. He asked that a note be kept of which councillors voted for the mast. “I don’t want to be accused of causing financial expense,” he said.

MORE Planning Decisions:

COUNCILLORS were split over whether a man who put in decking to help his wheel-chair bound mum should have to rip it out. Click http://www.inverclydenow.com/news-detail4.asp?ID=634

A PLAN to open a takeaway and restaurant in Kempock Street, Gourock, was refused. Click http://www.inverclydenow.com/news-detail4.asp?ID=632