PLANS for a controversial telephone mast have been rejected by Royston Town Council s planning committee. Members were against the erection of the 10-metre monopole on a site at Royston Fire Station. And it is understood that North Herts District Council

PLANS for a controversial telephone mast have been rejected by Royston Town Council's planning committee.

Members were against the erection of the 10-metre monopole on a site at Royston Fire Station.

And it is understood that North Herts District Council's planning officers are expected to recommend refusal of the plan.

The mast caused controversy when it was originally planned to have it erected on a site near to the Royston Telephone Exchange.

Residents in nearby Palace Gardens and Kneesworth Street protested and in a campaign to prevent the mast being given the go-ahead said it would be out of character with the area.

The site at the telephone exchange was on the edge of the Royston conservation area.

The scheme was withdrawn - but it has re-emerged for the site at the junction of Baldock Street and Tannery Drift.

Cllr Lindsay Davidson said placing such a mast so close to a school was an "absolute disgrace".

And Cllr Rod Kennedy said: "People designing these masts need to use some imagination and get away from the concept of just putting up pole.