We parents attended Brighton and Hove City Council's planning meeting on April 4 at Hove Town Hall, to protest against a phone mast at the Rivervale car compound, in Victoria Road, Portslade, 100 metres away from St Mary's RC School in Vale Road.

We were naive to think we could have made a difference with a 200- signature petition.

What appalled us was the unusual way the voting was conducted: Seven councillors abstained Two councillors voted against Three councillors voted for.

Perhaps with the local elections coming up shortly, our timing was unlucky.

We came to the conclusion the decision to approve this phone mast which is to be erected so near our school was probably already decided before the meeting took place.

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