A MEETING in May of this year between EE and local residents has come to nothing, claim campaigners.

The Beacon reported earlier this year that concerns over the siting of a proposed EE telephone mast had led to talks between the telecom giant, residents Trellech United Community Council (TUCC) representatives, Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) councillor Debby Blakebrough and an AONB officer to discuss alternative options.

A planning application for a 15 metre lattice mast was originally submitted on 17th July 2017.

Following objections, a revised proposal for a 10 metre high monopole mast was then submitted but the location was still an issue with residents feeling the site was “a highly intrusive location”.

But EE have decided to pursue the original siting for the phone mast.

One of the campaigners, Catherine Marsh said: “The proposed site is only a few metres from the Wye Valley Walk on the track from Pen-Y-Fan Green down to Whitebrook and at a point where the trees open out to reveal the river below

“EE admitted the mast will be used for their own commercial customers.

“Works undertaken by contractors on behalf of EE have already commenced, prior to planning permission being granted, resulting in crumbling of stone walls lining the Wye Valley Walk/lane. The mast together with its extensive associated ancillary works would be highly detrimental to the beauty of this location.

Cllr Blakebrough added: “I am concerned that the big company is riding roughshod over the planning process and an AONB, disrespecting local residents’ knowledge and concerns in order to meet their target deadlines.

The proposed site is on the Wye Valley Walk right in the middle of a popular vista point, not only with the mast but also scarring the land with access tracks and base clutter.

“I arranged a meeting between EE, planning officers, the AONB office and knowledgeable local residents to explore options and negotiate a mutually beneficial solution of getting EE coverage whilst protecting expanses of undisturbed natural beauty. However, I am now concerned that EE did not honour a promise and a duty to explore other sites and their decision is entirely cost-based.

“In a nutshell they are saying ‘this is our preferred site because it’s easier, cheaper and the work has already started’. They did indeed, before getting planning permission start to carve into the land to lay foundations for work. Catherine March alerted me and we contacted MCC planning enforcement to get work to stop”.

The plans, DC/2017/00868, can be seen on the MCC planning webpage.