MOBILE phone company Hutchison 3G finds out next week if it can erect a series of masts on top of Brighouse Parish Church.

The controversial application goes before Calderdale planners next Tuesday.

The proposal would see three antennae, each 1.7m tall, positioned against the turret of St Martin's in Church Lane. It is a Grade Two listed building.

A previous application was refused as it was deemed too visually intrusive.

The plans have raised a storm of protest around the town.

Twelve letters of objection have been sent to Calderdale Council as well as a 100-name petition calling for the proposals to be shelved.

Opponents argue that any work would deface the church and that health risks associated with masts are not yet fully established. They add that a more appropriate site could be found and ask whether there is any need for a new mast at all.

The antennae, which will be set 40cm away from the building but not project above it, are to be colour-matched to blend in with the stone.

A report from 3G states the church was the best location for the mast.

Planning officers have recommended the application be permitted.

But Brighouse Conservative Councillor Craig Whittaker is utterly opposed to the mast, saying : "I am against this and there is a lot of local opposition against it.

"The thing is, the church gets money to put it up. From the church's point of view, that's the draw."

He said there was also a moral dimension to his stance.

As 3G are producing the next generation of video phones he asked whether a church was the proper location for equipment used to broadcast all manner of visual material.

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