CAMPAIGNERS who have been celebrating a victory after plans for a phone mast in Marshalswick were rejected say they “have won the battle, but not the war”.

Mobile phone operator Orange, was hoping its application to St Albans District Council, to erect a mast on the corner of Gurney Court Road and Sandpit Lane, would be passed.

However the planning committee, which met last night, unanimously voted against the proposals on the grounds that it would be an unacceptable visual intrusion.

The committee has also called for Orange to look into other sites, after the swell of opposition against the plans in the Gurney Court Road area.

Richard Morgan, resident and campaigner, said: “We are delighted that the committee saw sense and refused the plans.

“It's good to see the parties coming together, across the political spectrum and uniting against Orange.

“We think the next step is for the council to get together with Orange, to discuss with them some alternatives.

“I also think for the council to reject the application unanimously, they will now be more robust.”

He added: “We have won the battle, but we have not won the war.”