O2 put up 60ft mast after Epping Forest District Council officers bungle

O2 were able to set up the mast, at the junction of Stoneyshotts and Honey Lane, Waltham Abbey, in 2006, after district council officers forgot to refuse them planning permission within a 56 day time limit.

The council's cabinet meeting heard it might now be possible to relocate the mast.

Director of planning John Preston said he had held a meeting with residents where he was told O2 might consider moving the mast to a previously refused site near the Marriott Hotel, in the town.

The news has delayed a council recommendation that formal compensation of £250 be given to ten selected complainants about the mast, even though its own report estimates around £120,000 has been wiped off nearby property prices.

Residents had poured scorn on that compensation scheme.

Christine Brooks, of Stonyshotts, Waltham Abbey, said: “I think they've messed it up from the start. There's a few of us not within those ten people. They went to the house in front and the one behind but not ours.

“It's not about the compensation anyway. We've got young children and we are more concerned health-wise about this mast.

“We are still in contact with O2 and they said they would gladly move it but the council won't fund that. That's all they're worried about. They're just trying to get away with anything.”

Andrew Keehner, of Stonyshotts, Waltham Abbey, is not among the ten people due for compensation as he did not originally object to the application.

He said: “It's ridiculous. We only found out about it when it went up. They claimed they'd sent letters out, but we are literally yards away and we never got a letter but the people round the back did.

“They're only interested in money and how much it costs them to find a solution. They're happy to apologise and take the flack as long as it doesn't cost them any money.”

The district council has said it will now meet with O2 to discuss the mast before considering compensation.