A GROUP of Durrington residents has won its battle to prevent a 15m mobile phone mast being erected in the grounds of the BT telephone exchange, off Stonehenge Road. At a meeting on Thursday last week, members of the district council's northern area committee turned down the application, on the grounds of siting, after hearing the concerns of local residents.

They were especially worried that people living nearby would be affected by wave emissions from the mast and infringement of their human rights, but were told these were not strong enough grounds for objection.

Instead, group spokesperson Anne Salmon confined the majority of her remarks to appearance and position.

She said: "We have been told that it will be disguised as a telegraph pole and will be some 15 metres high and on a concrete base.

"On top of this post will be three panel antennae and the whole structure will be surrounded by high chain link and barbed wire.

"What will it look like if mast-sharing is sought and other mobile phone companies add on their antennae structures?"

Mrs Salmon also questioned the applicants' choice of site, and asked why a location just metres from the ends of several gardens had been chosen, when Durrington was surrounded by acres of empty land.

"There can only be one reason for this - economics," she said.

"We have not been told the terms and conditions that BT has set down for the use of its land but we must assume they are very favourable, in view of the fact the applicants are determined to push ahead with this site."

Mrs Salmon was supported by several members of the committee, especially the ward members for Durrington.

Councillor Judy Greville said the mast would have a huge visual impact, most notably during the winter months, when the trees surrounding the mast would have lost their leaves.

She also made reference to a lack of consultation by applicants '3' - formerly Hutchinson 3G Ltd - and said that, had it not been for parish council chairman David Healing, there would have been very little public discussion.

"It seems that the chorus of the song is 'for goodness sake, why put it here, why not find some other site?'," said Mrs Greville.

"There is stacks of countryside around us, where no one would be affected."

In the end, no councillor voted in favour of the application and the plans were refused.

However, applicants '3' could still appeal.