CAMPAIGNERS have won their battle to prevent a mobile phone company building a mast in a New Forest conservation area.

Government planners have rejected an application to install an 18-metre high transmitter in the centre of Lyndhurst, the historic capital of the Forest.

Last year, Hutchison 3G UK applied for planning permission to build the mast beside the telephone exchange in Romsey Road.

The application angered people living and working near the proposed site, which is close to homes and other buildings in Romsey Road, Kings Close and Wellands Road.

Hutchison's proposal was subsequently rejected by New Forest District Council, which said the structure would be more than 12 metres taller than the exchange.

The company lodged an appeal in a bid to save the scheme.

Now government planning inspector Stephen Amos has dismissed the appeal and upheld the council's decision, saying the mast would spoil views that were important to the character and appearance of Lyndhurst.

Mr Amos rejects claims that plans to disguise it as a Cypress tree would enhance the conservation area.

His report says: "The mast would rise above the top of the tallest trees by some 7.5m.

"The proximity of the mast to the points from which it could be seen, the lack of concealing vegetation and the unnaturally regular form of its branches would make it very evident that this was not a natural feature.

"The design would serve to draw attention to the alien and obtrusive nature of the mast in relation to its surroundings.

"It would cause material and serious harm to the character and appearance of the area in general, and would fail to preserve or enhance the character or appearance of the conservation area in particular."

Mr Amos says the applicant failed to convince him that all alternative sites in the village had been considered.