A COMPLAINT about the way a mobile telephone mast was sited in a market town without residents' prior knowledge has been dismissed by the Ombudsman.

Mr George Cartwright, whose home at North Field in Barnard Castle is only 60m from the mast, made the complaint after he felt let down by Teesdale District Council and Durham County Council failing to consult residents about the application for approval of the mast.

Earlier this year, Mr Cartwright called a meeting for nearby residents. It was attended by Teesdale council planning officer Mr Ken Hughes and Coun Newton Wood.

Mr Hughes explained to residents that the siting of telephone masts under 15m high was regarded as permitted development and therefore not subject to planning permission.

Mr Cartwright felt residents had been let down by the council, which failed to notify them of the proposal. But Mr Hughes said, and this was backed up by the complaints examiner, Mrs S Barber, that the decision to erect the mast had been taken by the Environment Secretary, Mr John Prescott. His officers had done all they could to safeguard residents but the decision had gone against them.

Mrs Barber went on to say that there was no duty on a local authority to consult residents in relation to matters that were deemed to be permitted development.

Orange has always maintained that the required notification was posted.