Victory for mobile mast opponents

Planning consent was refused, but the notice arrived a day late

Telecommunications firm O2 has backed down over plans to build a mobile phone mast after a stand-off with residents.

Workmen had begun preparations to put up the structure on Charlton Road, Keynsham, on Monday, but resident Ruth Taylor stood in their way.

Bath and North East Somerset Council (B&NES) had refused planning consent for the mast, but failed to tell O2 within the regulation time.

A spokeswoman for the company said it would be looking for another site.

'Willing' provider

"We've said we'll look at a previous site we considered, on top of the council buildings," said Angela Johnson.

"We have to have a willing site provider. We won't build here in the meantime."

Residents said they welcomed the decision, but wanted a firmer commitment that future mix-ups would be avoided.

One resident told the BBC: "[They were] proceeding on a technicality because the notice arrived one day too late.

"B&NES should pay the money to O2 to resite the mast in line with their properly-reached decision."