Plans to build a 15-metre mobile phone mast in the middle of land immortalised by the paintings of John Constable got a frosty reception from planners.

Colchester councillors have unanimously refused an application by T-Mobile to hoist the mast in meadowland off Dedham Road in Dedham.

There was no bar on having mobile masts in areas of outstanding natural beauty, last night's planning meeting was told.

The company wanted to build an equipment compound in meadowland adjacent to the Colchester to Manningtree railway line.

The mast would protrude about six metres above the railway line's overhead structure, and there were trees screening the site, a representative of the applicants told the meeting.

Elizabeth Blundell (Con, Copford and West Stanway) said she could find no reason to approve the plans and recommended they were refused.

Published Friday August 9, 2002

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