Decision on mast branded ‘death of democracy’

THE Scottish Government has sided with a telecoms giant over a controversial mast plan in Kirriemuir.

The decision has been dubbed “the death of democracy” by a furious objector.

An impassioned plea by one objector had convinced Angus Council’s development standards committee to go against the recommendation of planning officials and reject Telefonica’s plan for the 70ft structure at a haulage yard in Cortachy Road.

One councillor backing the bid said that blocking the 4G mast plan would have sent out the signal that Angus was not “open for business” because of poor rural connectivity already costing the area.

The committee voted seven to three to refuse the mast after being swayed by objector Lorna Wotherspoon, who said the siting of the structure would be “totally intolerable”.

Telefonica UK, the owner of the O2 commercial network, argued councillors “failed to appreciate” its reasons for the mast at the yard on Cortachy Road.

And a government reporter supported its “only option” to upgrade the 4G signal west of Kirriemuir.

Mrs Wotherspoon said: “The democratically elected representatives from this area voted seven to three in our favour and somebody who is not from this area, who will never see us again, who lives in Edinburgh, has come out in favour of them (Telefonica).

“I’ve never advocated no mast, only where it goes. This is the death of democracy.”

A Scottish Government spokeswoman said: “As with all cases, the reporter makes his decision taking into account the submissions made by all parties involved in the appeal.”