Government rejects phone mast plans

PLANS to place a mobile phone mast on a historic city building have been killed off by the Scottish Government.

Vodafone wanted to erect the antenna on the Royal Scots Club on Abercromby Place in the New Town, but had its planning application dismissed by the council.

Now a subsequent appeal to Holyrood planners has also failed, with bosses saying while they accepted telecommunications signals had to be improved, it was not appropriate at this site.

Planning reporter Mike Croft acknowledged that the mast would not be visually offensive, and would blend in suitably with adjacent chimney stacks.

He added: “I acknowledge fully the impetus for improved telecommunications. However, with the blanket of environmental protections that arise in this case, a full search of alternatives is necessary.”