A MOBILE phone mast can be installed outside a school after a planning inspector overturned Colchester Council’s decision to refuse permission.

Tim Young, borough councillor for St Andrew’s, says residents are in disbelief the 12.5m mast, in Hickory Avenue, is being allowed.

It is near St Andrew’s Junior School and a play area.

Mr Young said the council’s officers had refused the application for good planning reasons and their decision should not have been overruled.

He said: “The council made the right decision in the first place and I’m gobsmacked the inspector has granted it on appeal.

“Residents couldn’t believe it either. Kids play football there and they will be fascinated by a phone mast going up and may want to climb it.”

Full story in Wednesday's Daily Gazette