Disputed phone mast goes up

2:58pm Thursday 6th September 2007

ENGINEERS have moved in to put up a phone mast on top of a barn at Nightingale Farm, Bishampton.

The mast had been opposed by a group of villagers. At a meeting on Tuesday night, the action group against it resolved not to give up.

Spokesman Paul Littlehales, who lives near the site, said: "Everybody is upset, even my eight-year-old daughter was crying when she saw the men working on it."

The action group has held demonstrations outside the T-Mobile shop in Evesham and outside the firm's headquarters but both the company and the owner of Nightingale farm, William Robertson, have stood firm.

They say they are not doing anything illegal. Mr Robertson believes there is no health risk posed by the mast, as protesters claim, and the company says his farm is the best site for the mast.

Mr Littlehales said: "We have collected £650 from fundraising in the village, which shows the strength of feeling. We intend now to call another meeting of residents to decide what action to take next."

T-Mobile was unavailable for comment as the Journal went to press.