Published: January 14, 2008
Exclusive: O2 wins bid to build huge new phone mast in Brean

Mobile phone giant O2 has won its bid to build a mobile phone mast in the centre of Brean despite it being rejected by planners last year.

The firm's project to construct a new 12.5 metre phone mast besides South Road, opposite Brean Leisure Park, was originally turned down by Sedgemoor District Council planners, but the operator sought to overturn the decision by submitting an appeal to the Planning Inspectorate - and has just been told that it has been successful in reversing the decision.

Planning inspector Roger Eagle from the Planning Inspectorate concluded: "The
mast is required to provide 2G coverage and the appellant has submitted information demonstrating that need and the lack of suitable alternative sites."

"Sharing an Orange mast to the north of the site would not be feasible without significantly increasing the size of that structure and sites within the Brean Leisure Park, where there are already two masts, are not available to the appellant."

"The Council has not contested the overall need for the proposed mast, but suggests other sites and a lower mast should be considered, referring in particular to an extant permission for a mast around 10m from the appeal site within the Cable and Wireless property."

"However, the appellant has provided evidence showing that a lower mast would not provide the required coverage and has submitted additional information confirming that the Cable and Wireless site is no longer available."

"Although the Council suggest other alternatives should be considered, no specific details of these have been provided. Accordingly, I am satisfied that the need for this installation and the lack of available alternatives has been demonstrated by the appellant and these factors weigh in favour of the proposal."

"The Cable and Wireless building is well screened behind a grass bank adjoining the pavement and the mast would be clearly seen against this being noticeably higher than nearby lampposts. However, the outdoor leisure rides immediately across the road in the Brean Leisure Park dominate the streetscene in this part of South Road."

"By comparison the mast would be a simple, uncluttered structure and therefore, despite its greater height, I do not consider it would cause material harm to the character and appearance of the surrounding area."

O2 originally said in April 2007 that it wanted to build the mast on the land to the east of the existing Cable and Wireless Transatlantic Cable Landing Station.