A PHONE company has appealed against the Vale council’s decision to refuse a planning application for a controversial 12.5m-high mobile mast in a beauty spot.

CTIL (Cornerstone Telecommunications Infrastructure Limited) lodged the application which would have also included the placing of ancillary cabinets, in front of the main entrance to the Knap Lake Gardens, Bron Y Mor, in Barry, last year.

Two previous proposals – for Marine Drive and outside The Bridge Café, in the Knap, failed.

A CTIL spokeswoman said: “The proposed site at The Knap was refused by the Local Planning Authority. CTIL have decided to appeal this decision as we consider the proposed location the most appropriate site to provide network coverage and superfast mobile broadband to this locality. Prior to applying for planning permission at this site, we approached the council with regard to the carpark as well as other potential sites in the local area, but no positive response has been received with regard to developing a site in these locations.