Merton Council received a "prior approval notification" (not a planning application) for a telecommunications mast on Haydon's Road, seeking views on the siting and appearance of the monopole mast.
Officers correctly advised objectors that their concerns about the alleged health effects were not related to the siting or design of the mast.
Kingston Council received a full planning application for a larger mast located within metropolitan open land in its borough.
The application was refused as the mast was considered an inappropriate structure within metropolitan open land.
No reference was made in Kingston's reasons for refusal to comments received from local residents, as Kingston Council knows, as well as Merton Council, that attempting to refuse planning permission for masts on health grounds can result in heavy penalties which have to be paid for out of increased council tax.
STEVE CLARK Head of planning and public protection Merton Council
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