A telecoms mast caught residents in Scotland by surprise when it suddenly appeared on playing fields near a primary school.
The ‘eyesore’ has been awkwardly placed at the East Lothian park entrance and behind football goals.
West B arns Community Council said Openreach had not informed locals before ‘plonking’ the mast in place on August 26.Minutes secretary Jacquie Bell said: ‘There was no warning of the pole coming or what it is for. A notice describes it as a wooden pole which it most definitely is not.’
Council vice-chair Andrew Ashton said its arrival near West Barns primary school was ‘unsettling’.
He said: ‘On the piece of paper they stuck to the metal pole they said it would be wooden.
‘It is more the lack of consultation as well as the positioning and not knowing what it is going to be used for. They have kept the community in the dark and we have a right to know when things will be constructed in our area.
‘The positioning is questionable as well with it right behind the goal posts – it is going to get hit a lot by stray footballs.’
East Lothian Council, which owns the fields, said it was trying to establish whether the structure has passed through the proper steps.
A spokesperson said: ‘We are now investigating to establish whether or not the structure constitutes a breach of planning control.’
But Openreach said it was not obliged to inform residents ahead of installing telecoms infrastructure on public land.
A spokesperson said: ‘We’re building a new, ultrafast broadband network in Dunbar to give local people access to gigabit-capable broadband.
‘We strive to select and site our infrastructure sensitively, balancing this with the need to meet local demand for broadband, TV and other communication services.’
The spokesperson added: ‘Network providers have a right to install telecoms infrastructure on public land, and Openreach follows a statutory process.
‘There’s no requirement to inform residents in advance, but we give local authorities 28 days’ notice, and liaise with them if they raise any concerns.
‘We are investigating to find out what’s happened in this case.’
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