Jubilant Surbiton residents were celebrating victory this week after they defeated plans by BT Cellnet to erect a 17 metre mast outside their homes.

Families in Malvern Close, Surbiton, were galvanised into action in September when they received a letter from the council informing them of plans to erect the mast on land belonging to Maypole Motors.

Their petition opposing the mast was signed by more than 400 people who raised concerns about the proximity of the mast to residents homes.

Mum Frankie Ward, who spearheaded the campaign, said she was thrilled to learn on Tuesday that a planning inspector had rejected the plans.

She said: "Our biggest concern was that this was an entirely inappropriate location to put a mast. The inspector rejected the plans on several grounds and we are all delighted.

"It is exceptional to actually win an appeal like this. Only 20 per cent of applications are refused on appeal."

December 14, 2001 15:30