A CONCERNED father who said he might move if a phone mast was put up in a conservation area has welcomed the application's rejection.

O2 and Vodafone submitted controversial plans for a 12-metre mast in Richmond Road, Chingford, in October. Angelo Attard-Montalto, 44, launched a campaign against the proposal and 1,300 people signed a petition opposing the mast.

He feared radiation could harm children, including his, who attend St Mary's Catholic School in nearby Station Road.

His concerns for his children, aged four, five and seven, were compounded by the fact that there is already a phone mast near his home in Connaught Avenue.

The planning committee turned the application down earlier this month, saying it was an "unacceptable addition" to street clutter in a conservation area.

Mr Attard-Montalto said: “We are happy our campaign worked. There is an overwhelming feeling of pure relief, but we are waiting to hear if the company will appeal.

“The amount of signatures we got shows the support for refusal. It was a great fear and stressful for us if it was passed.

“If the company appeals the decision we will try to resist it again.

“We have already got a phone mast where we live. We can't do anything about that. We don't need another one 40 metres from the school as well."

The Guardian is awaiting a comment from 02 and Vodafone.

An application for a 15-metre mast in Shernhall Street in Walthamstow was recently turned down following a campaign by local residents.

The committee said the location was inappropriate. An appeal by O2 and Vodafone has since been lodged.

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