THE Vale council has officially told a telecommunications operator that it will not consider a proposal to site a mast at a Barry beauty spot.

The Barry & District News last week reported that the Vale of Glamorgan Council had thrown out a proposal to locate a 12.5m telephone mast on land at Bull Cliff, off Marine Drive, Barry.

The Cornerstone Telecommunications Infrastructure Limited (CITL)/Vodafone Ltd mast would, said the applicant, be a slim-line mock telegraph pole “supporting six antennas, two transmission dishes, two equipment cabinets and ancillary development.”

It formed part of plan to boost 3G and 4G coverage.

Anti-mast campaigner Gerraint Oakley, of Westward Rise, said the applicant had yet to withdraw its application.

Mr Oakley said: “They could proceed with it in the hope that the local authority will change their decision on leasing the land in the future. The planning department would then have to determine the application as it stands. It is very important that the local authority provide assurance that this is a final decision preventing the development, as this negates the "Permitted Development" status of this application.”

Vale council cabinet member for regeneration and education, Cllr Lis Burnett said: “Vodafone has been informed in writing that the council does not want to consider the proposal to locate a mobile phone mast on Bull Cliff any further and now needs time to withdraw the application. The planning process is entirely separate to the council’s role as land owner. If Vodafone does not formally withdraw the application, the council will be obliged to continue processing it, but the mast could not be built without the council granting a lease. The decision to not grant a lease for this site is final.

“Should any operator enquire about other sites in the Vale, they will be considered on their own merits.”