27/09/2005 17:06

A Moray village is vowing to take on one of Britain's biggest mobile phone companies, which wants to build a mast in their community.

They say Vodafone's ignoring local democracy after the firm asked the Scottish Executive to overrule a council decision forbidding the construction.

Cutting into the north east coastline, Cullen is a conservation village.

With nearly 240 listed buildings lining its streets, many householders need council permission just to repair a broken window pane.

So when the local authority threw out Vodaphone's bid to erect a fifty foot mast here, locals were relieved, but not surprised.

But Vodaphone wouldn't take no for answer....

This man works for the Scottish Executive.

Mr Smith, as he introduced himself, was sent this afternoon to re-assess Vodaphone's application.

The company wants the Executive to over-ride Moray Council's refusal...and the people of Cullen are furious:

In a statement to Grampian TV, Vodaphone said they never take the decision to appeal lightly and try to weigh up everyone's concerns.

But with an ever increasing demand for mobile communication, they need to build more base stations to carry the network.

The Scottish Executive says it will make a decision on the mast application by early November at the latest.

Cullen says if it's approved, they'll continue to fight against it.

http://northtonight.grampiantv.co.uk/content/default.asp?page=s1_1_1&newsid=7572