Fury over council's phone mast error

Sep 14 2007 By Leda Reynolds, Birmingham Mail

BUNGLING council bosses today apologised after being forced to admit that their error paved the way for a controversial phone mast to be erected against their wishes.

Families living in Bushley Croft and surrounding roads had campaigned against a proposal by phone giant T-Mobile to erect a mast in Widney Lane amid health concerns.

Residents signed a petition against the scheme and wrote letters of objection to Solihull Council saying the mast would also be a blot on the landscape.

Protesters celebrated when the council's planning committee threw out the proposal, declaring it a victory for the people.

However, they say their joy turned to horror when workmen arrived at the site and erected the mast earlier this week.

They later learned that a council blunder had paved the way for T-Mobile to erect the mast because the council had not responded to its application within the statutory 56 days, granting the phone company approval by default.

Cancer sufferer Graham Barton, who lives in Bush-ley Croft, said he was "appalled" at what had happened.

"It makes a mockery of democracy," said Mr Barton, who lives in the road with his wife Theresa.

"Our joy at winning the campaign against the mast has turned to despair all because the council didn't do it's job properly. It's a disgrace."

Father-of-two Stefan Barto, who also lives nearby, said he was "disgusted" the mast was only in place because of a council mistake.

"Myself and the other residents are devastated and feel as though we've been let down by the council on an enormous scale," he said.

"We went to a great deal of effort to protest and it was all in vain. It's all very well for the council to say they will ensure it doesn't happen again. We don't care about that because it's too late for us now. We're lumbered with it because of the council."

Coun Joe Tildesley (Con, St Alphege), who helped the residents fight the mast, said he was appalled.

"I can't believe this has happened and am disappointed the council has got itself into such a mess," he said. "Somehow we've made a mistake and not responded in the correct number of days and T-Mobile has taken advantage of that."