Angry residents were relieved to learn of the council's decision to refuse planning permission for a controversial phone mast.

North Wiltshire District Council's Development Control Committee, in a heated debate on Wednesday night (Aug 29), decided to reject the planning application following objection from dozens of Corsham residents.

Phone provider T-Mobile had applied to erect a 6.5 metre tall telecommunications mast on top of Corsham's old telephone exchange in Alexander terrace.

But the phone company faced stiff opposition from furious residents who claimed the mast would have a massive impact on the surrounding area.

There were 18 letters of objection in total.

Speaking at the public meeting, Corsham resident Peter Taylor, told councillors residents did not want another phone mast in the town.

He said: "A mast, 11.7 metres above ground, will place it in a prominent position within a conservation area.

"It would be viewed from the High Street and down Post Office Lane."

He said there were already 15 phone masts in Corsham and highlighted three previous applications from other phone companies which had already been rejected by the council's planning department.

Mr Taylor's speech was met with a round of applause from up to a dozen residents who had gathered at the council offices at Monkton Park to voice their concerns.

Joining them was Corsham Town Councillor and Wiltshire County Councillor Peter Davis.

He said: "There are already some 15 mobile phone transmitters in or around Corsham. These are positioned in less obvious positions, outside Conservation Areas, and significantly further away from residential properties.

"There is no proven case, to my knowledge, requiring a transmitter in a Corsham Town Centre location.

"A permission would result not only in this mobile phone company erecting their transmitter, but could set a precedent for other companies to follow with further similar applications, which could prove more difficult to resist."

Planning officers had recommended councillors give the go ahead to the new mast but after hearing residents concerns committee members voted to refuse permission.

Speaking after the meeting, resident Bonnie Copeman said: "We are absolutely delighted and were very pleased with the councillors who voiced our concerns - Peter Davis, Christine Reid and Elaine Marston.

"It showed real solidarity among the residents of Alexander Terrace and gives me faith in my local councillors and democracy."

The 32-year-old added: "If there's an appeal then we will fight that too. It's an issue which we must keep an eye on."