THE proposed placement of a telephone mast on a war memorial playing field has sparked outspoken opposition from villagers.

The mast, which was proposed by company Shared Access, would be situated on the playing field in Arnside.

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It has been discussed in one parish council meeting last week (February 28), and will be brought up again in the next, at Arnside Cemetery Chapel on March 13, so members of the public can express their opinions.

Arnside resident David Owen strongly opposes the placement of the mast. He said: "The playing field has a special place in the village. It is one of the jewels in Arnside's crown.

"I don't want to see vested outside interest getting involved with the field. It has been used by the village since it was purchased by local contributions as a war memorial playing field in 1947. It is ours in perpetuity.

"My feeling is that once big businesses start to encroach on it we have no idea when it will end.

"The parish council has the power to say yes or no. I totally believe it should be a no.

"Everything that goes on on the field should be related to sport and pleasure. This is not nimbyism. There are plenty of other places around here that you could put a mast."

A spokesperson for Arnside Parish Council stressed that a decision had not yet been made regarding the mast.

The spokesperson said that last October, Arnside parish council was asked by the village's Tennis Club to give permission for improving the floodlighting around the courts and use one of the uprights as a phone mast following an offer made by a telecoms company.

This is part of a Shared Access scheme which sees the company investing in local sports clubs in return for use of their floodlights to mount mobile antennas.

However the council decided that any benefit gained from erecting a mast should be shared more widely than with a single sports club.

A spokesperson said: "Arnside Parish Council values the playing field as a popular space for sport and recreation in the centre of the village but also understands that improved mobile phone coverage would be welcomed by many and any income received could be spent on projects that benefit the village.

"An alternative offer was recently made directly to the parish council for a mast only. The council sought professional advice, before rejecting this offer at an extra-ordinary meeting held on the February 28."

The proposed placement of the mast will be further considered at a council meeting on the March 13.

A spokesperson said the council would welcome the opinions of members of the public at this meeting before it makes the decision.

Shared Access said that it was not company policy to comment.