CONTROVERSIAL plans for dozens of 36-foot tall masts across Southend will only go ahead as a “last result” after the council held crunch meetings.

Earlier this month, it was revealed that a planning application had been submitted for 27 huge telephone masts on grass verges and footpaths outside residential homes in Westcliff and Chalkwell.

These were to be installed as part of a project to utilise innovative “smart technology” and plans were submitted by water firms to enhance the rollout of smart metres.

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However, this was hit with a major backlash from residents opposing the proposal over the impact on the area.

Daniel Cowan, leader of Southend Council, has since confirmed a meeting has now taken place with Connexin, alongside Northumbrian Water and Essex and Suffolk Water, following the negative public response – concluding that “masts will be a last resort.”

He said: “The two-hour meeting went well, and the overall outcome is an agreement to find a solution that works for everyone, including residents, with masts as a last resort.

“The proposed masts would be to support the installation of smart water meters as part of a project by Essex and Suffolk Water.

“The tech they are looking to use is the equivalent of your home router but 270 of them all linked up.

“The issue we have is with the masts as they aren’t needed, the tech itself is using radio frequencies and is relatively unintrusive if attached to existing infrastructure like lampposts.

“Next steps were agreed, most importantly, the agreement to share information and technical data about the existing LoRaWAN network and gateways within the city to make sure the existing system can withstand additional demand.

“The council administration has been on top of this since the issue first emerged.”

The council is already working on an “Internet of Things” system that monitors systems such as streetlights and parking.

The firm Connexin is behind the application and runs a similar smart city scheme in Hull.

Some of the streets that were proposed to get the new masts included Southbourne Grove, Chalkwell Avenue, Carlingford Drive, Hornby Avenue and Meteor Road.

Connexin, Essex and Suffolk Water, and Northumbrian Water have all been contacted for comment.