Liberal Democrats in Harlow have launched a stinging attack on Bill Rammell, Labour MP for Harlow, for siding with phone company giants rather than residents in a row over the power of communities to stop inappropriately sited phone masts.

Currently, fewer restrictions govern planning applications for phone masts up to 15 metres in height, often making it difficult for councils like Harlow to refuse permission for controversial proposals.

Liberal Democrats in Parliament recently moved an amendment to the Planning Bill which would have meant applications for phone masts would have required full planning permission and therefore be considered in the same way as applications for new buildings or change of use of existing ones.

But Labour MPs, including Mr Rammell, voted against the call - and Conservative MPs did not bother voting at all. Local Liberal Democrat planning spokesman Cllr Lorna Spenceley says:

"Bill Rammell had the opportunity to side with local communities or with giant phone companies. It is extremely disappointing so see that he decided to back the latter - and that the Conservatives just sat on their hands.

The change the Liberal Democrats proposed in the House of Commons would have given residents a fighting chance to stop inappropriately sited phone masts. It would have meant the phone companies would have had to apply for full planning permission in the same way that any other business would need to."