Phone Mast Move Put on Hold

A mobile phone mast which was dubbed a "rotten tooth" has remained in place even after planning permission for it expired.

A community group today hit out as the latest deadline for the Hutchison 3G mast passed.

The mobile phone company, Three, was meant to dismantle and remove the pillar, stationed in Sheddocksley before this week's expiry date.

Planning bosses have already approved an alternative site for a new permanent mast at the kennels in Lang Stracht.

The move is the latest chapter in a two year long saga for Mastrick, Sheddocksley and Summerhill Community Council.

Community Council Chairman Steve Delaney, who has previously described the installation as a "rotten tooth on the landscape", insisted there was no legitimate reason for the mast to remain intact as permission for a permanent replacement was granted before the end of last year.

The construction of the new mast has only begun in the last few weeks according to the community leader. He has now requested enforcement action by Aberdeen City Council. He said "the old mast is in breach of planning permission. Each time they've gone over their planning permission and have asked to extend it."

A spokesman for Three and Everything Everywhere, the company that operates the mast for Hutchison, said "we are finalising as quickly as possible the arrangements for a permanent replacement to this temporary site and are now only awaiting the mains power electricity from the supplier. "This should be completed very shortly and then we will remove the temp. All this is being done along with discussions with the relevant council departments."