Tamworth Herald

10:30 - 25 August 2005

Town planners have refused another application for a phone mast on Marlborough Way because it would be too close to homes.

The decision was made at a planning meeting last week where a separate application for a 25-metre mast at a substation in Wilnecote was deferred for further research.

A report released ahead of the meeting indicated that planning officers would be recommending the mast on Stonydelph Lane for refusal on the grounds T Mobile had not considered other sites or justified the need for a mast in that area.

However, fresh information emerged just before the meeting, prompting officers to take another look at the plans.

But it was bad news for Vodaphone - the latest telecommunications firm to apply for permission to erect a mast on Marlborough Way.

Phone giants are all vying for the same spot to close a gap in coverage, but councillors continue to agree with residents who fear the site is too close to homes and will be detrimental to the street scene.

A decision on the T Mobile application should be made at the next committee meeting.

Wilnecote residents have compiled a 78-signature petition strongly opposing the 25-metre mast, which would be close to the Happy Tots Nursery.