DISGRUNTLED homeowners fear a “beautiful area will be forever spoiled” if a mast is installed metres from their homes.

Colchester Council has granted permission for a 15-metre-high slimline mast to be put in place on a grass verge adjacent to North Station roundabout in Bergholt Road.

But the decision has not gone down well with nearby homeowners who believe the development will blight the scenery surrounding their properties.

The pole will be three times as tall as a standard double-decker bus.

Gazette: Yvonne Grindrod's garden, from which she believes she will be able to see the monopoleYvonne Grindrod's garden, from which she believes she will be able to see the monopole

Yvonne Grindrod, who is against the plan, said: “A development of this nature should not be in a residential area.

“This monopole is 15-metres-high and will tower over my property, not to mention the possible health risks associated with this monopole.

“None of the local residents wanted this here and all have suggested moving it to either the roundabout or the Big Yellow Self Storage centre

“Why does no one listen to the people that will have to live with this?

“This area is a beautiful area but will be forever spoiled if this is allowed to be built here.”

Colchester Council bosses have responded to the residents’ concerns and detailed why the application was approved.

A spokesman for the authority said: “The mast application was granted under permitted development rules, which means the principle of a development cannot be taken into consideration, only its siting and appearance.

“Whilst a consideration was made to the mast’s siting and visibility in the public realm, its dark colour and relatively slim design, seen in conjunction with a multitude of existing street paraphernalia and urban structures, including street lights, signs and nearby commercial buildings, and against a backdrop of relatively tall vegetation, made its location visually acceptable in planning terms and would not undermine the character of the street scene and surroundings.

“Subsequently, since the material planning considerations accorded fully with adopted Local Plan policies and with the National Planning Policy Framework, the Prior Notification application was granted.”