By Kevin Barnes

It is a question which seems to have defeated even the most brilliant minds in the world of planning: how do you conceal a 30m radiation-emitting device?

The problem appeared all the more acute as the mast had to blend in to an area best known for staging a world-famous flat race. Epsom Downs has many strong points but an availability of entrenched hiding places is not among them.

After studying photomontage, deploying a cherry picker as a dummy mast and listening to the merits of fake trees, councillors have apparently decided there is simply no effective way of masking such a monstrosity.

continued...
The lattice tower with 28 antenna and 20 microwave dishes will be planted beside the Old Paddock, as had been intended in June.

Head-scratching over the location began when Epsom racecourse announced £23.5million redevelopment plans. It quickly became clear that a hub of transmitters - intended to provide communications for residents and the emergency services - would perish with the demolition of the old grandstand.

Having sought permission for a replacement, five affected phone companies were told to come back with half a dozen alternative sites.

At an Epsom and Ewell Borough Council planning committee meeting on Thursday night they duly presented a list of locations the length of Langley Vale to Tattenham Corner. The applicants really needn't have bothered.

A report concluded that "the alternative sites do not demonstrate materially significant advantages in terms of their visual impact on the surrounding area".

There was also an alternative design, involving disguising the mast as pine or cypress trees. In the view of experts this solution appeared "even more incongruous as the fake trees would be considerably higher than trees in the vicinity."

After some discussion the original design and location were deemed, in the language of planning, "the least worst of all possible choices".

Councillor Robert Leach, chairman of the committee, said: "While we regret having to allow such a structure on an attractive part of Epsom Downs we recognise the need for telephone masts there."

Epsom and Ewell Environment Forum appeared largely undistracted, saying that at least homes would be unaffected.