Shock move on Middleton mast

The telecoms company made the shock decision just as councillors were preparing to debate its prior notification to install the mast.

Vodafone's planning agent informed Arun District Council's planning department about the move while the development control committee meeting of the council was well underway.

In an e-mail timed at 4.02pm, Mark Walters, of Needham Haddrell chartered surveyors, said: 'If it is not too late, I would be grateful if you could withdraw the above application (for the Southern Water compound in Middleton Road) with immediate effect.'

It is rare for an application to be torn up in such a dramatic fashion just about an hour before the committee members are to discuss it.

Vodafone's actions delighted and stunned anti-mast protestors at the meeting.

Community campaign leader Mandy Brown, of Guernsey Farm Lane in Felpham, said: 'I am really pleased that this application has been withdrawn. It is good news for everyone involved with the protest.

'But it does not mean that Vodafone are not going to come back again. We have all got to be alert for further applications for that site.'

She thanked the campaign's supporters for their efforts in helping to defeat Vodafone for a second time.

Tudor Close residents Kate and Mike Pepper live in the house nearest to the proposed mast site.

Mrs Pepper stated: 'This decision gives us temporary relief from the threat of a mast. But the issue is still hanging over us.

'The only problem is that everybody who has been very supportive this time has to continue to be vigilant. That's the hard bit. We might have to do this over all again.

'It's almost like Vodafone are playing a game with us. We hope they will walk away for good, but we don't know what's going to happen.'

She added that the campaigners had delivered 2,000 leaflets to raise awareness of the matter. 'A few people have done a lot of work on this issue,' she added.

The campaigner's protests were to have been voiced at the committee meeting by Middleton resident and Bognor Regis Civic Society deputy chairman Hugh Coster.

Councillors had been recommended by their planning officer, Keith Wheway, to object to Vodafone's application. The firm wanted to install a 12.8m high mast designed as a replica telegraph pole with three antenna contained within a shroud.

Mr Wheway said the appearance of the proposed mast would harm the character and appearance of the surrounding area and the living conditions of nearby residents.

'...the mast proposed would be a dominant and intrusive feature in the street scene to the detriment of the visual amenities of the surrounding area,' he explained in his report to the committee.

The council received 107 individual letters of objection to the proposed mast.