A MOTHER who fought against leukaemia says she is worried that a mobile telephone mast planned to go up near her home could now harm the health of her children.

Jo Potts is one of many residents of Warndon Villages, Worcester, who is furious that planning permission was granted for the O2 aerial, despite massive opposition.

A city councillor on the planning committee which granted the application said it was 'tragic' that health concerns could not be taken into account.

Mrs Potts, of Worthington Gardens, who has two young children at the nearby Lyppard Grange school, said she was horrified the mast on Woodgreen Drive, at its junction with Dugdale Drive, had been given the go-ahead.

"This is such a densely populated residential area and the mast will be so close to the school, I think we could end up moving to get away from it," said Mrs Potts, whose children are aged four and six. "It's come like a bolt out of the blue.

"I am being selfish but with my history of leukaemia it's natural that I am going to worry."

Mrs Potts said she and her neighbours, as well as other mothers with children at the school, would petition to appeal against the decision.

A previous petition against the plan was signed by 84 people.

Stephen Hatton, from nearby Nightingale Avenue, said he was 'utterly disgusted' that councillors had appeared not to have taken their opposition to the plan into account.

Worcester City councillors, who represent Warndon Villages, said they did their best to get the plans refused.

Councillor Rod Staines said the mast conformed to health standards.

"We were advised by Peter Yates (the planning officer) that we could not ban masts on health grounds. If we did that it would just come straight back to us through appeal.

"Possible devaluation of houses is also not a planning issue.

"So we were left with the visual impact. We did our best to argue that but we lost the vote. It's tragic, but it's true."

Councillor Lucy Hodgson added that she was 'very, very concerned' about the health issue.

"Residents want to know where they can go from here," she said.

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See Friday's Worcester News for a Talkback special on health fears over mobile phone masts.