A LOWER Gornal councillor said he is “over the moon” after council planners refused a mobile phone mast proposed for the village.

Mobile phone company O2 had submitted plans to Dudley Council proposing to build a 12.5m pole and radio base station in the middle of the Abbey Road roundabout - just a few a hundred yards away from another mast.

Following protests from residents, businesses and councillors, the mast was refused as it would be “unduly prominent and visible within its surroundings.”

Planners also turned down the application as it would cause traffic chaos on the road when it was being installed and maintained.

Councillor David Stanley said he was delighted with the outcome.

He added: “It affects quite a lot of people who all had strong feelings about it.

“We are already lumbered with one which is causing quite a lot of problems, so we are relieved this one has been refused.

“There were a lot of happy faces around Gornal when it was announced. We are all absolutely over the moon.”