A COMPANY has warned there could be blind spots in the coverage of a police radio system if they are not allowed to put up a mast.

Airwave mmO2 Limited wants to build a 20-metre telecommunications mast on Thirsk Industrial Estate.

The mast would be part of the Airwave digital radio communications system used by North Yorkshire Police.

Hambleton District Council refused planning permission in July, but now the company has launched an appeal, saying the mast is vital to provide radio coverage for the area.

John Scott, acting on behalf of Airwave mmO2, said: "The Airwave service is a Home Office-funded project to provide the police forces with an up-to-date communications system, replacing the existing analogue system. In order to achieve this, it is absolutely essential that there is full geographic coverage of the county, otherwise there will be unacceptable blind spots.

"This is a significant difference from the commercial mobile phone operators, which are essentially customer-demand led, with the result that they can accept areas with little or no coverage if the level of demand is low."

Hambleton District Council refused permission on the grounds that the mast would be unsightly.

A statement said: "The proposed mast would be clearly visible from a number of public view points due to its height and location.

"Whilst it is noted that the proposal results from the removal of some telecommunications equipment from the police station, the increased adverse visual impact of the proposed mast on the local landscape and character/appearance of the area is unacceptable."

But Mr Scott said the company did not believe that it would have a harmful impact on the area.

"The site is in the middle of a busy industrial park, which comprises a number of units, car and vehicle parking, railings and street lighting columns," he said. "Consequently, we consider that the proposed installation would not have a harmful impact on the character and appearance of the area. The installation is required to provide essential coverage for the North Yorkshire Police Force. There are no other technically suitable, available options that would meet the coverage and operational requirements of the service.