Essex Chronicle

http://www.essexchronicle.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=170875&command=displayContent&sourceNode=170757&contentPK=12228642

18:00 - 14 April 2005

Plans for a mobile phone mast in Tolleshunt D'Arcy have been rejected for a second time. Telecommunications company Orange applied for planning permission for the 10m mast from Maldon District Council's north western area planning committee on Monday night.

Orange submitted an almost identical application to the one that was rejected last year, hoping to site the mast on the junction of Beckingham Road and Festival Gardens. The only difference between the two applications is the height. Last time the phone company were asking permission for a 12m pole.

Phone companies need not apply for planning permission to erect masts under 15m, they simply have to give a detailed notification to the council concerned. But the council can call for a planning application on the grounds of siting or appearance.

Monday night's committee decided a planning application was necessary, so the notification automatically became a planning application, which they rejected.

Rebecca D'Arcy, from Orange, said it was unlikely Orange would lodge an appeal.

"What's more likely is we will go back to the drawing board and look at other options and areas, as we have identified a need in the area.

"Obviously we are disappointed because we had reduced the height to try and minimise visual impact and had hoped to get this through."