ANGRY parents and councillors have joined together to demand a mobile phone mast is pulled down.

The mast was put up in Kings Road in Chelmsford - close to the primary school - despite the council refusing it planning approval.

And now councillors for the Marconi ward in which it is situated say provider 02 has “steam rollered “ over the planning process.

Graham Pooley who represents Marconi ward said: “ The first application for a 12 and a half metre post was refused on appeal. The second one was for ten metres which was also refused.

“We must enforce for its removal. We are not saying that we don’t want mobile coverage but there must be good relations with the community and the council over these applications.”

Jude Deakin who also represents the ward said: “This is outrageous, the council refused permission and 02 is simply ignoring that.

“We cannot have big business steam rollering over the council and the legitimate views of local residents.”

Jonathan Furness, deputy head at Kings Road Primary School , said: “ They have acted without consultation and just steam rollered ahead.

“We are a leading school in technology and it is a critical issue for us but we should have had dialogue over it being so close to the school. Parents are understandably concerned.”

The application was refused because its size and siting were described as alien and incongruous in the street scene and also 02 had not shown that there was not a better site in the locality.

Chelmsford Borough Council said in a statement it has had extensive correspondence with O2’s planning agents regarding the installation of a telephone mast on Kings Road since July last year. The application was refused on April 23 last year and a letter sent out to 02 the following day.

“ The Council maintains that the applicants were notified of its decision to refuse approval for installation of the mast within the statutory 56 day period. This means that they may not lawfully install the mast.

“It is extremely disappointing that O2 has sought to ignore this advice and install the mast regardless.

“Council planning officers are currently investigating the matter further and will discuss their findings with legal officers with a view to exploring what potential action can be taken in respect of the installation.”

Jim Stephenson, spokesman for O2, maintained the company had the planning approval by “default” in that the company had received no notification of refusal within the 56 day period.

“We believe we have not broken any planning laws. If the council believes we have, then they can of course serve us with an enforcement notice.

“I am happy to meet with planners to discuss the issue.”