We don't want a phone mast

The landlady at The Bell Inn, Lower Broadheath, is leading a campaign against a telecommunications mast being erected beside a bus stop used by schoolchildren.

Maureen Haynes says the original planning application was for the opposite side of the road, which would be beside the children's playground at the pub.

"We got a petition, signed by all the villagers, stating we didn't want a phone mast because it's right by my children's playground and near where the children meet," said Mrs Haynes.

"Yesterday, workmen from Orange were digging a hole on the other side of the road and putting the cement in.

"They'll be back to put the mast in.

"I've phoned Orange and Malvern Hills District Council about it."

Mrs Haynes says that the mobile phone company must have submitted more than one planning application, one for each side of the road.

"We don't want a phone mast here at all, let alone by a bus stop used by schoolchildren," she added.

"They're just putting phone masts anywhere, but they're not listening to anybody."

Officers at Malvern Hills District Council said they had received two planning notifications from Orange.

The first was for the same side as the current siting of the mast.

"After the first notification we received objections from the parish council and one letter," said area planning officer Rosalyn Field.

"We approached the operators to look at a revised site and they decided across the road. That was subsequently refused.

"So they went back to the first site. All the concerns were taken into consideration but we can only refuse on grounds of siting.

"As there is already a post box and telephone box nearby the masts don't take anything away from the landscape."

The installation of telecommunication masts is a Government initiative.

Mobile phone masts have hit the headlines across Worcestershire during the past couple of years.

Most recently, residents in the Ronkswood area of Worcester hit out over an application by BT Cellnet to erect a 50ft mast in Medway Road.