A MOBILE phone operator was aiming at securing another site for a mast, before settling on an area where residents have mounted a campaign against the plans.

Orange has responded to residents' fears in Gurney Court Road, saying it had applied to St Albans District Council to build in Clarence Park, but failed to negotiate a deal.

Orange spokeswoman Rebecca D'arcy said: “The site at Gurney Court Road has been discussed for a number of years and a previous planning consent had lapsed while we worked with the council and community to find an alternative location.

“Our preferred site was initially at Clarence Park and although the council were behind this in principle, after many years of negotiation we have been unable to secure this location due to various legal complications with the ownership of the land.”

She added: “Orange continues to have coverage deficiencies in this area which is why we have come back to the original location in Gurney Court Road.

“It is not typical to spend so much time negotiating one site, but we delayed as much as possible to try and secure the site at Clarence Park and we are disappointed that this did not come to fruition.”

The operator has confirmed land near the King William pub in Sandridge Road, St Albans, is another site which it has in mind for a mast.