Prospective Conservative MP for Chandler’s Ford, Steve Brine has said he is "extremely disappointed and annoyed" as news emerged that an unelected planning inspectorate in Bristol will now have the final say on plans for a 14m 3G phone mast and associated equipment outside the Vauxhall garage on Leigh Road in Chandler's Ford.
An application for the mast has twice been turned down; once by the Chandler's Ford & HIltingbury Local Area Committee in February 2008 and subsequently on appeal by officers under so-called 'delegated powers' in August 2008.
Now the company has appealed that second refusal to the planning inspectorate, an unelected body that sits in Bristol.
Steve Brine saus; "It is a real shame that Vodafone have chosen to thumb their noses at the will of local people and their elected representatives. As a community we have said no twice to this application, not because we have anything against Vodafone but because it is the wrong application on a busy and dangerous road junction, and no should sometimes mean just that.
"I will be writing to the inspectorate in Bristol to put them in the picture about this part of Chandler’s Ford, which they will obviously know very little about when they make this decision.”
Pictured; Steve Brine with local residents, led by Danielle Rogers back in February 2008 when they story first emerged.