Campaigners against a proposed mobile phone mast near a Dundee primary school are celebrating victory.
A Scottish Government planning official has decided the 17.5m mast would be an “aggressive element” in the area and has refused planning permission.
The ruling means phone companies Vodafone and O2, which had been intending to share the site close to Forthill Primary School in Broughty Ferry, will now have to rethink the plans.
The announcement will be welcomed by nearby residents and parents of pupils, many of whom were strongly opposed to the plans and sent in petitions and letters of objection.
Several pupils drew up a petition too, voicing fears about the possible health effects of transmissions.
Doreen Phillips, a member of the school’s parent council, said: “‘Relief’ is not the word.” She added that she was grateful to everyone who had supported the campaign.
The phone companies had wanted to put up the mast in a corner of the grounds of Forthill Sports Club, a short distance from the school playground. They appealed after the city council refused permission.
However, planning appeals reporter Jill Moody has decided the development cannot be allowed to go ahead and she acknowledged the impact of the protests.
She said the site was not designated as particularly sensitive in the local plan.
“However, the content of the significant number of objections bears out the view that because of the inherent character of the surrounding area and the proximity to the primary school, a higher sensitivity threshold should be applied,” she reports.
The height of the mast meant it would rise well above nearby trees and would be visible from many windows in the school and in flats overlooking the site.
Ms Moody said: “Despite the best efforts at disguise, the mast would become an aggressive element that would look out of place in this otherwise attractive and low-key residential setting.”