VILLAGERS in Coalpit Heath are celebrating after winning a hard fought campaign against plans for a new mobile phone mast.
Hundreds of people in the village had shown opposition to plans by Vodafone to erect a 12 metre high mast at the junction of Badminton Road and Woodside Road.
Residents claimed it would be "an eyesore" too close to their homes and had raised concerns about the possible impact on their health.
South Gloucestershire Council's planning control committee backed villager opposition at a meeting last Thursday.
Members turned down Vodafone's planning application on the grounds of the mast's visual impact.
Cllr Howard Gawler said: "BT has agreed to put its overhead cables underground following a campaign by local people to clear the clutter from the street.
"Now we have Vodafone coming along wanting to put up a phone mast on the same street. It would completely undo all the good work between BT and local people.
"It would create a lone eyesore just metres away from people's homes."
Cllr Pat Hockey said: "Too often we see phone companies coming in and putting phone masts where they like.
"But this is no place for a 12 metre high pole and we should not let this happen."
Mark Walters, an acting agent for Vodafone, had told the committee an extra phone mast was needed in Coalpit Heath to improve the network's coverage.
At a consultation event last month, Vodafone agents acknowledged the villager opposition and agreed to investigate alternative sites, but refused to withdraw the application for a phone mast in Badminton Road.
He said: "We have considered 14 sites for this pole. Eleven were within the green belt, which we left because previous applications have been refused because they lie in the green belt.
"Two of the remaining were not close enough to a road. Which left us with this preferred option."
Speaking after the committee's decision, Andy Somerset, of Woodside Road, said: "I am pleased that the committee has agreed with us and I want to thank everyone who supported us by signing the petition, turning up at the meeting and sending in objections."
South Gloucestershire Councillor for the Westerleigh ward, Claire Young, added: "The community has really pulled together to fight these proposals, the response has been amazing.
"People have put a lot of hard work into the campaign. Special thanks go to those who carried out the petition, delivered leaflets telling people about the proposals or who spoke for the residents at the committee meeting."
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