A TEMPORARY telephone signal mast in Winchester will remain for another 12 months – despite objections.

Winchester City Council approved Cornerstone and Vodafone Ltd's application to keep the mast on Andover Road, which is close to the junction with Bereweeke Road. It is being used as a "stop gap" in an emergency whilst the "permanent solution is found".

The application had received seven objections, including one by city councillor Anne Weir, who said: "Permission for this temporary emergency phone mast has been renewed previously.

"It is time the mast was either removed and resited or a full application for permanent installation with associated landscaping and amenities was submitted. This application should be refused."

A spokesperson from the City of Winchester Trust also submitted an objection.

They said: "The trust objects to this further extension on the grounds that the mast and associated barriers compromise local amenity and are an eyesore.

"In the trust's opinion any further application should only be considered on the basis that the site would be suitably landscaped and temporary barriers replaced by planting screening. Consideration should also be given to using a fake tree phone mast."