HOLIDAY park operators in Bryncrug have hit out at plans to locate a mobile phone mast close to their tourism business.

David and Gail Whiteside are urging fellow residents to object to a new planning proposal for a 17.5-metre phone mast as they believe it would damage the local area, both financially and aesthetically.

The community council has also expressed concerns on the plans.

The Whitesides, who own The Meadows Touring Park, have a series of complaints about the new mast which, if installed, would boost mobile signals throughout the area as well as 3G and 4G reception.

Although the couple understand that a mast would be valuable, they object to the proximity of the pole to their home and business.

“The location is totally unacceptable owing to the adverse impact on this area of outstanding natural beauty,” Gail said. “The mast will be the first thing that people notice and will be visible to most of the village on account of its great height.

“The proposed site is 36 metres from our residence and five metres maximum from our touring pitches, which we believe will definitely be detrimental to the business."

Bryncrug Community Council has also experessed concerns about the mast’s close location to caravans and holiday homes and that the proposed site of the mast has flooded on several occasions in the past.

Gail added: “Ninety-nine per cent of our client base stay at the Meadows, Awel y Ddol, for the unrivalled views of mountains and hillsides. The proposed mast will obliterate these views.”

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