Kidderminster Shuttle

PLANS to erect a mobile phone mast on a grass verge on green belt land in Kidderminster have been thrown out for good.

The Government's planning inspectorate rejected the bid, by mobile giant, Vodafone, for a 10-metre pole to be sited in Wolverley Road, Franche.

District councillor, Anne Hingley, said it was a victory for local people, who had mounted a vociferous campaign against the application.

"I think that it just goes to show that people power possibly helped because there was a very strong campaign against the proposals," she said.

"It is an example of people not being phased by a big company when they have a legitimate reason to campaign within the limited guidelines."

Hundreds of people objected to the plan when it was first mooted a year ago and the district council rejected the planning application last December but Vodafone decided to appeal.

County councillor, Nigel Knowles, said the mast would have been situated on a dangerous bend and, as such, would have been a hazard to motorists as well as spoiling the landscape.

"Most people have a mobile phone but system delivery needs to be acceptable to us all as users, as well as to the planners," he added.