THE district council has agreed to fork out nearly £18,000 in compensation over a bungle which saw a phone mast granted automatic permission in a residential street.

In 2006, phone company O2 was able to automatically put up a 60ft mast in Honey Lane, Waltham Abbey, after council officers forgot to file an objection in time.

Epping Forest District Council has been examining the possibility of compensation for objectors ever since, but in a surprise move at last night's (September 13) cabinet meeting councillors agreed to pay out £250 to all 71 homes in the vicinity of the mast.

Cabinet member and Waltham Abbey councillor Syd Stavrou said: “The opinion of officers is that the council should make a final reasonable offer of compensation, and that has been decided on from past decisions, but would exclude those persons who did not raise any objections for prior approval of the mast.

“But quite a few people did make representations through their MP or through local ward councillors and those, because they haven't been committed to paper, wouldn't be allowed.

“I understand the difficult circumstances we are in at the moment but I do think in fairness we can't just compensate 9, 10 or 11 residents when there is a certain argument it's reasonable to extend to the 71 round the mast.”

Fellow Waltham Abbey councillor Antony Watts said: “This is a very sorry tale and it's really a question of this council being in the position to not only do what is right but to be seen to be doing what is right.”

Council head of planning John Preston apologised for the error adding: “This was not the department's finest hour a few years ago. We did review our procedures with members, there was training, and we've taken a lot of advice about this case.”