Plans for mast do not need approval

Controversial plans for a mast to be built in a Shropshire village do not need prior permission and are able to go ahead - despite a wave of objections from residents.

More than 100 protesters are understood to be planning to pack into a public meeting in Bicton Village Hall, at 7pm tonight, to object to the plans for a 12-metre high mobile phone mast on land off Calcott Lane.

And 14 letters of objection have also been submitted to Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council, with local people raising fears of the potential health implications and the proximity of the mast to the school and nursery. But borough council planners say that prior approval is not required for the scheme.

Airwave Solutions has identified the site under a scheme to create a national digital mobile network to replace the analogue one used by emergency services.

Residents have objected to the scheme - with more than 100 turning out with Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczynski for a site visit about the proposals, which the politician said was the largest protest group he had seen in his three years as an MP.

The proposals for a mast - which would be 14.5 metres high with a base - will still go before members of SABC's development control and environmental protection committee on Tuesday, July 15.