A CHARM offensive by Guernsey Airtel collapsed yesterday when it failed to tell residents about a meeting to discuss opposition to a mast near Vale Mill. A spat broke out between the operator’s chief executive, David Watson, and Deputy Mary Lowe after only three residents turned out for a walk around the proposed site of the masts.

But Deputy Lowe and the three who did attend refused to accompany Mr Watson on the tour because of the low turnout.

‘I am extremely disappointed at the approach taken by Guernsey Airtel,’ said Deputy Lowe.

‘Mr Watson said he would meet Vale residents on the site but he has not told any of them that the meeting was taking place today to look at the various options available.’

At a parish meeting last month, residents were up in arms about the company’s application to erect more than 50 masts around the island.

Mr Watson offered to meet residents to walk them around some of the proposed sites and listen to their concerns.

‘It was me who informed two of the residents that the meeting was taking place because I called to ask them if they had received a letter and they didn’t know anything about it. It’s quite disgraceful,’ said Deputy Lowe.

‘He has done nothing – no mail drop or advert in the newspaper to give people the opportunity to meet him on site.’

Molly Le Garff, who lives opposite Vale Mill and has been a parish resident for more than 40 years, said she had written to the Environment Department in opposition to the mast.

‘I was not told when the meeting was going to be until my neighbour informed me,’ she said. ‘I wasn’t able to go to the parish meeting at the douzaine room, so I wanted to come and meet Mr Watson today for the walkabout.’

Matt Fallaize, one of the three residents who did turn out, said he had expected a poor attendance considering the lack of notice.

‘We expected that would happen because we received no letter,’ he said.

‘Mr Watson has definitely got off on the wrong foot with the community.’

Mr Watson said that his company, Guernsey’s newest telco, had nothing to hide in what it was planning to do.

‘I have offered to meet Deputy Lowe on the understanding that we would meet residents here,’ he said.

‘Unfortunately, arrangements were not appropriate and we will now rearrange a meeting with residents in the next few weeks.’

He added that he had been pleased to accept Deputy Dave Jones’ invitation to the parish meeting last month and was happy to meet residents on site.

‘I believe the more information people have access to, the better it is for everyone concerned.’