PLANS are afoot for a telephone mast to be places just metres away from where one was refused earlier this year.

Vodafone is proposing to install a 12.5m pole with antenna, dishes, and ground-based cabinets, at the Knap Lake Gardens entrance, in Bron Y Mor, Lakeside, in Barry.

A pre-planning proposal for a radio base station and mast on the footpath outside The Bridge Café, was opposed by Barry Town Council planners in March.

Vodafone withdrew its proposal saying it had found underground features that would prevent successful development of a base station at this location and that it was “presently considering our options locally”.

Baruc ward Barry Town councillor, Shirley Hodges said she had lodged an objection to the latest proposal.

The Plaid Cymru councillor said: “I’m concerned the mast in the slightly amended position will still have a detrimental impact on the conservation area and the green flag park. It’s reduced in height by a few metres from the original plan however still a substantial structure.”

A spokeswoman for Vodafone and Telefónica said: “Base stations are low powered devices which cover approximately half a mile in radius, therefore we have to put base stations close to our customers.

“Vodafone and O2 identified that they need to improve the coverage to their customers in Barry and proposed a base station at The Knap. We found underground features that would prevent successful development of a base station at this location. We then considered our options locally and are now proposing a base station in Bron-Y-Mor.”

A planning application has been lodged with the Vale council and is currently in the consultation stage. The deadline is July 26.