A PROPOSAL to install mobile mast with ancillary cabinets in front of the main entrance to the Knap Lake and Gardens, could be reversed.

Baruc ward Vale and Barry Town councillor, Steffan Wiliam recently met with Vodafone and Vale council officers to explore the logistics of placing the mast at the rear of The Knap car park.

A 616-strong petition, submitted to the Vale council and Vodafone, had opposed the plan to locate the 12.5m-high structure in the marine conservation area.

Vale MP Alun Cairns had also met with a Vodafone representative.

Vodafone said it was interested in the new site, now the Vale council had made it available, but the original proposal was still open pending further investigations into the area’s suitability.

Cllr Wiliam said: “They have agreed to my request to site it there and barring any geological issues it seems that this will now be the case. I'm delighted that they have listened and acted accordingly. I'd also like to take this opportunity thank all the residents of the Knap and Parade Gardens and Romilly Park for their responses on the doorstep and to our questionnaires. This new location will provide a much better signal and coverage but will also be far less intrusive than the previous proposals which would have been a terrible blot on the landscape. “

He said the success, for him and his ward colleagues – councillors Shirley and Nic Hodges – had been due to consulting residents, liaising with officers and engaging with the applicant.

He said: “Our local knowledge provided them with a better site which suits everybody. I was concerned not only with protecting the Marine Conservation Area, which Shirley Hodges worked so hard to secure for us years ago, but also to address the issue of coverage in areas such as Romillly Park - as well as the Knap and Garden Suburb, which had hitherto been ignored.”

He said now the 4G signal could cover a wider area without destroying the character of the Knap or incurring health fears.”

A Vodafone spokeswoman said Vodafone and O2 customers expected to be able to use their mobiles and devices where they live, work and travel and it had been identified that they need to improve the coverage to customers in Barry.

She said: “Whilst the existing application is running we are looking into an alternative site in response to feedback from the local community. Specifically, we are looking at the potential of relocating the proposed base station to a car park nearby that has now become available. The proposed development would provide 3G and 4G services to local residents and tourists.”