Residents in the area surrounding Churchhill Gardens, Southend, have been informed the Planning Inspectorate is allowing Vodafone a telecommunications mast next to the park and near their homes.

The council unanimously voted against this proposal on two occasions and agreed, that this was not a suitable site.

The guidelines, as set out in the Warren Report, state care should be taken not to position masts in residential or conservation areas.

The fact remains that Vodafone contravened these guidelines when it selected this site for development.

The Planning Inspectorate has ignored the Warren Report's advice on the grounds that, although it agrees it is a residential area, trees act as good screening and filters. (It does not say what it is which is being filtered and makes no comment on the possible effect on residents or rare species in in Churchill Gardens.

We seemingly have no right of appeal - ironic since the park is names in honour of Sir Winston Churchill, who fought to protect the free, democratic world.

Our only hope is that the council will appeal on our behalf.

This unjust decision contravenes many of the legal requirements in the siting of phone masts and if the council fails to appeal, it will be a denial of our human rights.

Finally, I would like to ask what is the point of having local councils and following the due and lawful process, if decisions are then to be overturned by a higher authority?

Ben Read
Tunbridge Road
Southend