A RED-FACED planning inspector overturned a decision to refuse a mobile phone mast after visiting the WRONG site, it has been revealed.

Sarah Stevens went to Hickory Avenue, Colchester, where Vodafone and Telefonica want to build a 12.5m (40ft) mast.

She decided Colchester Council was wrong to refuse the application and reversed the decision.

Eagle-eyed Colchester Council officers noticed her description of the location did not match the site, near Unity Primary Academy.

The Government’s planning inspectorate has admitted she visited a site further along the road, near Colchester Academy, in October.

The blunder has prompted Colchester Council to launch a High Court challenge and get the ruling changed...again.

Tim Young, councillor for St Andrew’s, said: “The fact they couldn’t even find the right place is a bit worrying.

“We now have to go down the legal route because they can’t just say they’ve made a mistake and reverse it.

“We will be fighting this because it is pretty clear this is an unsuitable site. Perhaps if the planning inspector had gone to the right address, she would have agreed.”

The gaffe means the council will use taxpayers’ cash to fight the inspectorate at a judicial review.

Other councils across the UK have spent up to £12,500 on similar proceedings. Mr Young said: “We are going to have to pay the upfront costs, but I am confident we can get those back because we will win.

“We don’t know how much it will be at the moment, as it is early days, but lawyers don’t come cheap.”

The planning application was lodged in October last year and the council refused the application in March.

Councillors said a mast on a verge would look out of place, particularly near a school.

Vodafone and Telefonica appealed against the decision and it was overturned.

In a letter to the council, the inspectorate said: “The inspector refers to Colchester Academy …this is indeed an error and should refer to St Andrew’s School (the former name of Unity Primary Academy).

“I can confirm the inspector visited a site slightly further along than the correct site in error.

“As the decision is a legal document made on behalf of the Secretary of State, the Planning Inspectorate cannot review or change the decision.

“The only way in which the decision letter can be reviewed is if it is the subject of a successful High Court Challenge.”