We have advised (often angry and frustrated) residents about these on many occasions. Public law challenges to the decision to site a mast at a particular place (or not to require planning permission to do so) are generally difficult. However procedural mistakes are made. Thus proper reconsideration may result in a mast not being located as intended by the operator – as happened in Davies. On the other hand, as happened in Phillips, despite victory in the High Court, the decision may end up being the same. In other cases, we have found that well timed and sustained involvement with the local authority and/or operator before litigation actually commences to be fruitful.

Mechanisms exist (akin to nuisance proceedings) under the Telecommunications Act 1984 for removal of masts and/or payment of compensation for those affected by them. We recommend people who are genuinely concerned about masts to try these.