Phone mast appeal rejected

A decision not to allow a mobile phone mast close to a pub in Cannock has been upheld.

Plans for the 41ft mast were thrown out last year and an appeal has now been dismissed.

The plans were lodged by bosses at Hutchison 3G (UK) Ltd, who wanted to put the mast on the footpath next to the Jubilee Inn at the junction of Limepit Lane and Pye Green Road, Chadsmoor.

They also wanted to install three antennas, a dish antenna and radio equipment housing, but Cannock Chase Council rejected the plan last August.

The firm's first location choice had been Blake Valley Technology College in Marston Road, Hednesford, but talks failed so the alternative site was decided upon.

Concerns raised by residents related to the possible health implications of phone masts, its appearance and worries it could cause accidents at the busy junction by distracting motorists.

Previous plans to site a 15-metre mast on the opposite corner of the crossroads were met with widespread objection and more than 400 people signed a petition calling for its refusal before the plans were withdrawn.

Planning inspector Martyn Single, who was appointed by the Secretary of State for Communities and Local Government, dismissed the firm's appeal.

In a report, he said the main issues were the effect of the proposal on the character of the area and whether the need to provide network coverage outweighed any harm.

He said it would be a very dominant addition to the relatively open junction but would not need to be as high as a mast located elsewhere because of the height of the land. He added: "Not only would it be an intrusive feature in the general street scene when viewed on the approaches to the junction, but it would be directly opposite dwellings in Pye Green Road."