PLANNING chiefs have been accused of delaying a new mobile phone mast in Greenock for the sake of moving it just six metres.

Members of the Cardwell Bay and Greenock West Community Council (CC) have come out in favour of plans for a 50ft high telecommunications mast in Eldon Street to replace one that used to sit on top of the soon to be demolished former Navy Buildings.

It is needed to ensure locals on the Vodafone and O2 networks receive a signal to use their devices and would replace a controversial 74ft temporary structure around the same location, pictured, which is only allowed to stay in place for up to 12 months.

But it’s feared that customers could eventually be left with no reception at all.

Municipal Buildings bosses have come under fire from community councillors over the situation — but they say Vodafone have taken more than three years to get their house in order.

A statement from Cardwell Bay and Greenock West Community Council said: “Inverclyde Council, as we understand, have suggested that the proposed permanent mast may be acceptable if moved SIX METRES northwards.

“The result of this is that the existing planning application would require to be withdrawn and a new application made — restarting the whole process again, which would take at least two months.

“The feeling at the February meeting was that this situation is becoming ridiculous and that the community council should make strong representation to the planning department to encourage them to make a decision on this matter as quickly as possible and without any further delay and also suggest that the demand to move the mast six metres is unnecessary and will make little, if any, difference to the approach to the conservation area.

“If the permanent mast is not approved, in less than 12 months time, there will be NO signal for Vodafone or O2 customers.

“Whilst this mast is on the edge of the conservation area, it cannot be acceptable to leave residents with no phone coverage and we wish to ensure that the planning department are fully aware of this.” But council planners today laid the blame at the door of Vodafone for the length of time taken to sort out the new mast.

A spokesman said: “It is an extraordinary position to take that council planners are being asked to ‘speed up’ a decision on this planning application.

“Community council members should be absolutely crystal clear on the facts here.

“Vodafone have known about this situation since October 2011 when they were notified that the Navy Buildings were set to close and their mast they share would require to be decommissioned.

“The current planning application was received in October 2014 — three years later — and is duly processed in exactly the correct way.

“Planners have expressed their view to the applicant that the current position isn’t acceptable and we would hope that it would be withdrawn and re-submitted.

“But, that is a decision for the applicant.” Local authority chiefs have also reiterated their position on the controversial temporary mast, saying it is outwith their control.

A spokesman said: “The temporary mast which has been erected has been done so by Vodafone under national rules where operators can station and operate ‘moveable telecommunications apparatus’ for a period not exceeding 12 months in the case of an emergency.

“Vodafone has already informed the council that any attempt to challenge the siting of this mast will be defended with costs sought against the council.

“Discussions with Scottish Government officials have indicated that Vodafone is operating correctly within legislative powers and Scottish Government guidance that enable the erection of this mast without recourse to the council.

“It would be no exaggeration to say that the council’s planners are frustrated and disappointed with the current situation, which could have been resolved some time ago.

“But they must and do work within the rules and national guidance in place.”