The public inquiry into Pembrokeshire County Council's non-determination of an application to install a Tetra mast near a holiday home for disabled children in Penally finally concluded this week.
The inquiry, which has seen the Harriet Davis Seaside Holiday Trust go up against telecommunications company Arquiva in a bid to stop them siting a police communications mast 50 metres from The Wheelabout home on The Ridgeway, initially ran for two days last month. It was then adjourned by Welsh Assembly appointed town and country planning inspector, Gwynedd Thomas, but resumed for a final day at the De Valence, Tenby, on Wednesday.
Mr. Thomas also made a site visit on Wednesday. "We are expecting Mr. Thomas's ruling by March 12," said campaigner against the mast, Clr. Ann Dassen.
"Penally Community Council presented new information from Dyfed Powys Police under the Freedom of Information Act which proved they do not support the Arqiva site as it is too close to The Wheelabout," Clr. Mrs. Dassen explained.
"Other information centred around mast heights given for alternative sites and coverage levels." Clr. Mrs. Dassen continued: "The barrister, Tina Douglas, was at last given permission by Pembrokeshire County Council to speak, but her closing argument was a final stab in the back for The Harriet Davis Trust. It was damning stuff. The ridiculous thing is that even though they have followed Airwave's every request regarding a Statement of Common Ground and bent over backwards to agree with every point Airwave raised, Airwave have still stung them with a request for a full award of costs against them."
She added: "Truth be told, we are quite numb at the moment and helpless to do anymore. We must just pray that the inspector, Mr. Thomas, feels that what has been presented by us all outweighs the claims made by Airwave."
Clr. Mrs. Dassen also thanking everyone who has supported The Harriet Davis Trust during their long-running campaign.
"Should the decision go against us on March 12, we are still lucky enough to be in the position that the landowner, The Robert Lock Trust, which has very strong Tenby connections, has promised to serve an injunction to prevent the installation," she concluded.