A new telephone mast attached to the top of a lamp post has been reluctantly approved by Douglas councillors.

The erection will be at the junction of Lakeside Road and Hailwood Avenue and will incorporate a cabinet containing electronics as well as the mast itself.

Councillor Colin Cain was one three objectors at the full council meeting, telling fellow members it would be the tallest structure in the Governor’s Hill estate.

’How many people is it going to benefit? It’s one of many. We do have other telecommunications providers in the island and I can’t understand why they can’t work together.

’The residents are against it and I’m against it. It’s not just a column, it’s a box of tricks as well,’ he said.

Councillor Ian Clegg said he broadly agreed and Councillor Janet Thommeny pointed out the mast would be between two schools, and residents had complained it would be 30 feet high and shine into their bedrooms. Concerns were also raised by Councillors Betty Quirk and Jon Joughin, and Karen Angela asked for it to be reconsidered in committee.

Environmental Services Committee vice chairman Catherine Turner said there was a ’black hole’ in the area but added: ’We did not agree but we chose not to object. On the issues we are allowed to consider, there were no grounds to object, so we did not.’

It was passed 13 votes to three. Councillors Angela, Cain and Joughin dissented, as did Ritchie McNicholl in committee.