by Jenni Horn

A mobile phone mast which was put up next to a school sparking outrage from parents could be moved.

Mobile phone giant Vodafone has agreed to look at alternative sites for the 3G mast which was put up next to St Mary’s Catholic Primary School in Gillingham earlier this year.

It follows a four-year campaign by parents at the school in Greenfield Road.

Pupils and parents staged a demonstration at the school to coincide with the meeting.

The mast was put up in Railway Street, just yards from the school playground.

Medway Council turned down planning application for the mast twice.

The final decision was overturned by the planning inspectorate and the mast was put up in April.

The council agreed to write to Vodafone to demand the mast be pulled down.

This led to a meeting between Medway Council’s director for regeneration Robin Cooper and Cllr Mike O’Brien from the health committee, last night(Thursday)to discuss the mast being moved.

During the meeting alternative locations were discussed.

Vodafone agreed to look at the feasibility and costs associated with these sites.

A spokesman for Medway Council added: “Medway Council will also ask Ofcom to look at taking readings of the emissions from the base station at the local St Mary’s RC School.

“Vodafone and the council also agreed to meet again once all the locations identified had been investigated and the likely costs provided. Both sides are pleased to be moving forward in a spirit of co-operation.”