Anger at council mast decision

Jun 1 2007 By Tony Deeley, Birmingham Mail

WALSALL Council was today accused of backing away from action against the owners of a controversial phone mast at Darlaston.

Neighbours have campaigned against the 50ft mast ever since its provision by Vodaphone 16 years ago.

It has been the subject of fresh controversy since September last year following work by tenants T- Mobile which saw an antennae and two phone cabinets added to the structure. Vodaphone maintained the apparatus was added in line with plans submitted last year.

Neighbours have always claimed it was installed contrary to planning rules and without them being consulted.

Walsall's development control committee yesterday met to decide on the issue Ð but fell short of deciding to take enforcement action to remove the equipment.

But Coun Graham Wilkes, who spoke in the protesters' favour, said today the council had not come up with an enforcement option.

"It seemed to me they have done a somersault rather than just a U-turn. All they have recommended is that officers go and negotiate with Vodaphone to get them to reduce the impact of the mast on the area or to relocate it.."

A council spokesman said: "The meeting decided to instruct officers to continue negotiating with Vodaphone for the replacement of this equipment with something more suitable."