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MOBILE telephone aerials could soon be in place on the church tower of SS Nicholas and Faith Church in Saltash.
The Parochial Church Council has been approached by Vodafone asking for aerials to be erected on the tower, and have agreed in principle.
In a statement the Rector, Canon Richard Maynard, says that the outcome is subject to the regulation of both the local planning authority and the Diocesan Advisory Committee for the Care of Churches.
The detail of the application is still under consideration and the PCC is being advised by their Archdeacon and conservation architects in the best ways to proceed.
One of the things they will be looking at is any possible health risks involved and will explore this with professional advisers.
Canon Maynard says that if consent is given the PCC will ask the Chancellor of the Diocese to ring fence any money they receive for allowing the aerials to be placed on the tower for the repair and conservation of the ancient building.
Canon Maynard said ' Everyone knows that the mobile telephone is now the No1 means of communication. The church has always been in the business of communication and the facilitation of communication.
'Church towers were built to establish clear sight lines between villages and enable people in neighbouring communities to be in touch with one another.'