Telecoms Company Blames Council for Unauthorised Masts

12.52.55pm GMT Tue 23rd Mar 2004

O2, the mobile telecom company, has written to Vincent Cable, MP, denying that it was responsible for the unauthorised telecoms masts on Hanworth Road and Chertsey Road and blames the council. In the case of the Chertsey Road site it claims that the council has incorrectly measured distances.

Vincent Cable said: "this is an utterly shambolic situation. There appears to be a dispute not over principle but elementary facts. The council and O2 seem to be deep in disagreement on the distance between the mast and a lamppost on Chertsey Road. In relation to the Hanworth Road mast the company claim they never received a letter of objection from the council. A legal appeal in front of a planning inspector will cost a lot of money and appears to revolve around the accuracy of a tape measure and the efficiency of the Post Office. I feel angry on behalf of residents that they are being thoroughly messed around and also for the councillors on the planing committee who, in good faith, ordered that the masts be taken down".

"I have written to the council asking them to rebut the company's claims. If the council is right and the company is wrong then I would expect to see prompt compliance with the planning laws".