A TELEPHONE mast standing 17.5 metres high has been given the go-ahead outside the former Fire College in Gullane, despite concerns about its size.

East Lothian Council’s planning committee heard the mast would replace one which was decommisioned from the site in November last year.

However, it is more than six metres taller than the previous mast and is being placed on Main Street, beside a footpath outside the former college.

Ward councillor David Berry criticised a report from officials recommending they approve the mast, which they said was “slimmed down architecturally” and painted to fit in with street lights.

Mr Berry said: “The report says it is not unduly prominent, intrusive, incongruous. How big does it have to be? The lighting columns are half its height.” Concerns were raised that the applicants EE, a mobile phone and internet provider, had not contacted council officials before putting their planning application in for advice or discussions about locations.

Ward councillor Jim Goodfellow described the approach by the company, which is currently at the centre of a £12.5billion buyout deal by BT, as “cavalier”, asking if other sites had been considered, including the site of the former college, which he described as “derelict”.

But planning officials said plans for future development of the college site made putting the mast there problematic.

Mr Goodfellow said: “I have had a number of people at my surgeries complaining about the lack of 3G services and 4G so I am pleased with this.

“However, I am disappointed there have been no discussions about it and a cavalier approach.

“I will be objecting until they come up with something better.” However, fellow ward councillor Tim Day said he welcomed the improvement of telephone signal the mast would bring, adding: “I think if you ask Gullane residents, it is a small price to pay for a better signal.” The mast was described by officials as “general street furniture which is found in towns and cities across Scotland”.

The committee voted to approve the mast, with only councillors Berry and Goodfellow opposing the application.