Residents have lost their campaign to halt plans for mobile phone equipment being put up just yards from their homes.
More than 180 people signed a petition against the move for Hutchison 3G UK - and 21 more sent letters to Tendring Council.
The company wants to install the antennas and dish on the Colchester Institute building in Church Road, Clacton, in the town's seafront conservation area.
Councillors gave the plans the green light by seven votes to six.
Paula Townsend, who led the campaign, said the residents had real fears the radiation from the masts could cause cancer - which was backed by reports in national newspapers.
"People in the Pier ward are very frightened and look to this council to protect us from the danger," she said.
Planning officer Peter Le Grys said Government guidance meant the council could not put a blanket ban on mobile phone equipment on health grounds as there was not enough evidence to back that up.
Published Thursday, June 12, 2003
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