Plans to retain a mobile 'phone base station on top of Tenby's Park Hotel were deferred by the Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority this week to await further answers to objectors' questions.
Earlier in the year, Orange Personal Communications Services Ltd. applied for the removal of a Pembrokeshire Coast National Park Authority condition requiring them to remove their base station from the top of the hotel on North Cliff after their five year temporary consent expired.
The application raised a number of questions from nearby residents on North Cliff and resulted in Park planners turning it down as Orange had supplied insufficient information to allow its proper consideration in the light of the residents concern over possible health dangers.
"As a result of the refusal, a more detailed application with a great deal more information was soon submitted," development control officer Mrs. Cathy Milner told members of the Park's development control committee on Wednesday.
Mrs. Milner explained that the objectors to the application had remained consistent, questioning the health risks from the mast and suggesting that the Park may not have the technical expertise required to best assess the application.
"We agreed and commissioned our own independent consultant to provide further guidance," said Mrs. Milner.
Mrs. Milner commented that one objector had raised very technical questions on the application, and had raised more questions in response to the independent assessment.
"We cannot answer these ourselves and have to go back to the consultant," she said, asking for the application to be deferred.