A TELEPHONE mast development has received the go-ahead after the district council's decision to reject the project was overturned because of a computer error.

Residents have welcomed the news that Vodafone is one step closer to building the mast, in Portmans Farm, off the B4211, Upton.

Malvern Hills District Council rejected the project but an IT mistake meant that there was a delay in issuing this decision.

New telephone masts go through a different planning process to other applications and local councils have 56 days to let companies know if they approve of the proposed towers.

Mike Ostick, vice chairman of Upton Business Association, said: "We are absolutely delighted.

"The mobile reception in the town is appalling, it's really a problem for businesses. There are a lot of what are called 'not spots'.

"It's not just phones, many of the cash devices for credit cards work like a mobile phone.

"People have to go out of their shops as they can't get a signal inside.

"Some friends and I went to the White Lion for dinner and when I went to pay the bill with a credit card, the lady said she had to more or less go outside and hold it in the air to hold a signal."

Upton Historic Parkland Conservation Group previously objected the the project due to the 'significant adverse visual impact' that the tower would have.

Cornerstone Telecommunications Infrastructure Limited (CTIL) will operate the tower on behalf of Vodafone and now has to fulfil certain ecological criteria before it can push forward with the mast.

A spokesman for Malvern Hills District Council said: “We support better telecommunications across the district.

"But in this case we had concerns about the impact the siting of the mast would have on protected species, particularly Great Crested Newts, which is why the application was refused.

"However, due to an IT error there was a delay issuing the decision and by law it now has deemed consent.

"The applicant still has to meet their legal obligations regarding protected species on site including carrying out any additional surveys or mitigation measures before work to install the mast can begin.

"We’ve offered to meet with the applicant to discuss these matters."