POWERLESS residents have hit out after T-Mobile installed a mast just yards from a children's nursery -and they don't need planning permission for it.
The sub station went up at on Knightsbridge Road this week in what has been branded an "under-hand" and "devious" move by the phone giant.
Ged Meechan owner of Tender Years Day Nursery, said he was first notified in May and he told parents through the nursery's newsletter. However, he claims he was led to believe that an application would be made, at which point they could make their representations, only to get to work this week and see a crane installing the device.
"I'm very unhappy because I think it's underhand and I was waiting for T Mobile to tell me it was going to go ahead. I would have appreciated some notice so we could have responded with the parents."
David Edwards, father of twoyear-old twin daughters said he will now consider moving house. "It's just been so devious.
"The first day that a lot of parents have gone back to work after the holidays and it just appeared in the morning. It's just so back door."
John Shaughnessy, spokesperson for T-Mobile said the rooftop installation, does not require consent as it is classed as a low impact development.
"There's no obligation to notify anyone other than the local authority. We did notify the local authority, I accept it would have given him [Mr Meechan] the impression that there would be an application at some stage.
"It could have been clearer but it was a courtesy contact."
He added that he understands the concerns of the nursery but said the mast does not put anyone at risk.
