"No" to Orange Mast in Court Rec.

After a year of uncertainty, the Council has finally decided not to allow a controversial 20 metre mobile phone mast to be built in Court Recreation ground. Cllr Nigel Pavey addressed the Telecommunications Masts Sub-Committee on behalf of local residents, when the Sub-Committee debated the results of the recent consultation. In view of the widespread public opposition to the use of this park for such a purpose, due to fears about possible health hazards and the proximity of a children's playground, they reversed their previous decision to give the go ahead, subject to planning permission.

Lib Dem Councillors Jonathan Lees and Colin Taylor were barred from attending due to their stated opposition to masts in public parks. They have put forward a motion seeking to get this adopted as Council policy. It had been expected that this motion would be on the agenda at the same meeting, but it has now been deferred to next week. Cllr Paul Green who successfully led the move to deny planning permission, was also not allowed to take part because he is a member of the planning committee.

The sub-committee also decided against a separate plan for a mast on the Hogsmill Open Space in West Ewell, even though this had already been granted planning permission.