Residents living near the Anton Mill Industrial Estate have spoken of their “enormous relief” after plans for a telecoms mast were rejected by Test Valley Borough Council (TVBC).

Waldon Telecom, on behalf of mast operator MBNL, had submitted plans for a 20m high mast, as well as eight cabinets and fencing, to be installed on a patch of land sandwiched between Anton Vets and Redbridge Drive.

These plans were rejected by TVBC just before Christmas, following consultation with residents, officials and other bodies. Refusing permission for the mast, the council said the plans would “significantly breach the skyline” of the site and surrounding areas. There were also concerns about the impact on the immediate neighbours of the site in Redbridge Drive, with the mast providing “a feeling of overbearing on their living conditions.”

Waldon Telecom had previously applied to erect a mast on The Drove, which was rejected on the basis it “would introduce unduly prominent and visually intrusive features into the existing street scene.” The company subsequently applied for permission to construct a mast on the Anton Mill site.

Concerns regarding proximity to Redbridge Drive were raised by residents, with one saying that their house was just nine metres from the site of the mask. Waldon Telecom, however, said that the distance was 15m, disputing claims it had been “actively misleading”.

Concerns were also raised by council officials, with environmental protection officer Michael Thorne saying that he was “it is difficult to have any confidence in the information” on noise pollution at the site provided by Waldon Telecom. He calculated that noise levels at the boundary of neighbouring properties would be around 63dB, the same volume as a conversation or a dishwasher.

TVBC’s landscape officer also had issues with the plans, saying that “no mitigation can be undertaken” regarding the views or height of the equipment. They disagreed with Waldon Telecom’s assertion that “the proposed development will therefore not appear unduly prominent when viewed from within the immediate vicinity or the wider surrounding area”.

Subsequently, the decision was taken to refuse permission for the mast to be built on the basis of its visual impact, “detrimental impact” on neighbouring houses, and “insufficient information” submitted regarding protected species and habitats.

Janet Tomlinson, who would have been one of the immediate neighbours of the mast, told the Advertiser: “It is an enormous relief, not just for those whose houses are only a few metres from the proposed installation, but for all the residents of Redbridge Drive, Mead Hedges, Suffolk Road and Millstream Close.

“It was heartening to see so many people willing to challenge the proposal, which on so many accounts seemed utterly incongruous and insensitive to the setting.”

She thanked the work of TVBC planning officers, especially Donna Dodd, who she said had been “very professional” and “exemplary” in her work on the proposal.

She added: “Thank you to all involved in TVBC’s Planning department for their dedication and hard work to protect the residents of Andover’s quality of life and its precious environment.”

A spokesperson for MBNL said: “The location at Anton Trading Estate was the proposed replacement of the existing telecommunications site, which is currently located on a rooftop base at McDougall’s Silo, Millway Road, Andover.  Whilst it is disappointing that our planning application has been rejected at this time, it doesn’t detract from the ongoing coverage requirements which still need to be addressed.

“The importance of keeping communities connected is more important than ever before, so we hope to find a suitable and agreeable location for the replacement site which will ensure that residents and local businesses continue to benefit from the service it provides.

“We will of course continue to work closely with the Planning Officers to consider the next steps.”

Waldon Telecom were contacted for comment.