This Is Guernsey

TORTEVAL parishioners were celebrating yesterday after plans to erect a phone mast near their homes were scrapped. The joint application by Guernsey Airtel and Wave Telecom for the 56ft structure off Rue du Planel was dropped when the landowners withdrew their consent.

The mast would have backed on to Nicholas and Gillie Drake’s property.

Mr Drake said he welcomed the news.

‘I knew nothing about it until I opened the Press this morning and I had a pleasant surprise,’ he said.

‘I am just delighted but not surprised.

‘The douzaine were going to formally approach them and say about the objections so whether that may have happened, I don’t know.

‘I’m just pleased that they have changed their mind, which I think was sensible,’ he said.

‘They would have been very disappointed to think people were so up in arms. I think he made the right decision and I noticed a few smiling faces as I walked up the road this morning.

‘People are over the moon.’

Vice-dean of Torteval douzaine, Lloyd Brehaut hoped that sent out a clear message.

‘There was instant opposition to the original application at Rue des Simons and the reaction is the same to this one. I think any application in the parish is going to be closely looked at and opposed,’ said Mr Brehaut.

‘I didn’t know about the news until I had a call from the constable, as I had been out all morning. I was pleased.

‘I haven’t spoken to the landowner but there’s presumably been a lot of opposition and they decided to withdraw the permission.

‘I’d say this sends out a message. I think as Torteval is so small with not much open space, no masts could be put up without opposition.’

Senior Constable of Torteval Dave Inglis was pleased that people power had prevailed.

‘As senior constable I am delighted that the landowner has understood the concerns of his fellow parishioners,’ said Mr Inglis.

‘On behalf of the douzaine I would like to thank the people who made their position known. The common- sense approach has been acknowledged and I am delighted with the outcome.’

Wave Telecom managing director, Tim Ringsdore said his company respected the landowners’ decision.

‘This was originally a Guernsey Airtel application and we were trying to take the opportunity to share the mast to minimise the impact on the environment,’ he said.

‘We saw it as an opportunity to increase our network coverage to improve the service to our customers.

‘We were working within the guidelines and we will now work with Guernsey Airtel to try and identify another site.’