HOUSEHOLDERS say they are relieved after a mobile phone mast that was making it impossible to watch their favourite television shows was removed.
The mast was erected in the car park of Noel-Baker Community School in Alvaston last autumn but only had temporary planning permission until March.
The 30ft-high structure angered nearby residents who said they were not consulted on the "monstrosity" and that, ever since it arrived, their television signals were intermittently disrupted.
Last month, neighbours and the Alvaston school's head teacher Mal Kerr demanded it be taken down – and they have now got their wish.
June Parker, 70, who lives on Bracknell Drive close to the mast, said it was "brilliant" that the mast had been removed. She said: "We'd never had problems before it was put up and now it's down, thank goodness, everything is back to normal."
Mrs Parker said she had experienced problems with her television reception. She said: "The reception would go and you'd have to turn it off and then on again before it would work.
"I'm so glad it's gone, it was a real eyesore as much as anything else."
Mrs Parker praised deputy leader of Derby City Council Ranjit Banwait for writing to the mast's owners Everything Everywhere, the firm created when Orange and T-mobile merged and known as EE, calling for a quick resolution to the issue.
His letter, sent to EE chief executive Olaf Swantee, said that the mast's "continued occupation" of the school's car park "appears to have no basis on either legal or planning grounds".
Mr Banwait said he was "pleased" the issue had now been resolved. He said: "After months of frustration by local residents as a result of having their entertainment spoiled by interference, I felt the need to escalate the matter to the people in charge at EE.
"I'm pleased the head of the company responded positively. This is a great result for local residents."
It is the second time in recent months that EE has been in conflict with residents in Alvaston.
In April, EE took down another "eyesore" mast in Elvaston Lane after Derby City Council ordered it to do so.
It had been up for 13 months despite only having formal planning permission for six months.
No-one from EE was available for comment.
