THREATS to build a new 5G phone mast on a green space have kickstarted a campaign to keep the former bus terminus and turn it into a community asset.

Now that planning permission for the 20-metre monopole on the Green Lane site has been refused, residents are keen to keep it clean and are calling for trees to be planted and flowers to be sown.

Andy Brabin, who has now set up Doe Hey Litter Pickers used to sell copies of the Bolton Evening News from the spot, known locally as “bus island”, as a boy.

He said: “The planning application made people realise they had an asset in the bus island and that it has been neglected.

“This is the first of hopefully many projects to tackle local grot spots – although the bus island was not too gritty itself.

“The enthusiasm shown by local residents has been noted, with many stopping and saying thanks and the fact a couple joined us is fantastic.

“Quite a few people commented that they remembered when the bus island had roses planted and it is a shame they were removed.

“We are hoping that we can get funding for two trees to be planted and another resident has put forward the idea of sowing wild flowers.”

Mobile network operator Hutchinson 3G UK, commonly known as Three, is in the process of selecting sites for new phone masts in the Bolton area and has submitted a series of applications for different locations across the borough.

But speaking in April, Mr Brabin, described the proposed 5G mast at this site, which would be twice the height of adjacent properties, as a “visual intrusion”.

Planning officers ruled that this 20-metre mast and base cabinet would appear as a “wholly incongruous” and “dominant” feature that would be harmful to the residential setting and out of scale with its surroundings.

This week members of Doe Hey Litter Pickers have been weeding, mowing and sweeping the site with several residents joining in to help.

Applications for 20-metre telecommunication monopoles have been submitted to Bolton Council for sites in Chorley New Road near a Texaco garage in Horwich and in Deane Church Lane, next to ASDA in Daubhill.

WHP Telecoms Ltd also wrote to councillors in Kearsley on behalf of Three inviting them to enter discussions before it submits plans for a mast in front of Kearsley Mount Shopping Precinct in Manchester Road.