THE controversial application to place a mobile phone mast outside Mappleborough Green Primary School has been refused.

The decision was due to be made two weeks ago but was postponed when the Stratford Council planning committee west meeting was abandoned after too few councillors turned up.

As a result, planning officers took a delegated decision to refuse the application on Friday, the last day on which it could be made.

If the council had failed to reach a decision on Friday, T-Mobile could have legally gone ahead with the mast.

A council spokesman said the decision was made to "safeguard the council's position" but it did not preclude T-Mobile re-applying to site the mast near the school or appealing against the decision.

Scores of parents and children turned up to Studley Village Hall two weeks ago to make their feelings known about the mast but were disappointed when the meeting was abandoned.