Residents claim 57ft mast would ruin Tettenhall Green

Controversial plans for a 57ft phone mast in the middle of a popular beauty spot have today come under fire from concerned residents who say it would "destroy" the area.

Under the plans being drawn up by Telefonica and Vodafone, a mast would be installed in Tettenhall Green, near the junction of Wergs Road and Wrottesley Road. It is one of two planned for the village, with planners eyeing up Wergs Garage in Wergs Road for the other.

Roger Webb, aged 67, said he hoped the companies would listen to the views of locals.

"It's not just a beautiful spot for us here in Tettenhall, it's used by hundreds of people in the summer," said the retired former senior distribution executive, of Wrottesley Road.

"Residents and the council work very hard together to keep it an attractive and unique place.

"There have to be numerous other sites that they could use. More and more residents are finding out about it now and everyone is furious this valuable asset could be destroyed by something so ugly."

Ward councillor Barry Findlay has already spoken out against the plans. He has written a letter to the companies urging them not to put the masts in the "conservation area", warning them to expect "considerable" opposition.

The letter states: "You have indicated that one of the proposed sites is the land at Wergs Road and Wrottesley Road. This is within the Tettenhall Conservation Area and, as such, I feel is inappropriate for locating your equipment.

"I have worked with local residents to protect the unique character of this area and to enhance its environmental aspects which attract many visitors from across the city and locally.

I believe the siting of such equipment in this location would be very detrimental."

Paul Street, agent for the companies, said the design and location of the mast should minimise visual impact. "In both cases there is tree planting in the vicinity that will offer a degree of screening and masking of views from certain viewpoints," he said in a statement.