THE public inquiry into Airwave's plans to erect a ten-metre Tetra mast at Coombe, Widecombe-in-the-Moor, due to reopen this month, has been shelved for at least three months.

One of the many objectors, Darren Sibley, has complained to the Planning Inspectorate because of the date slippage and in a letter says it seems the residents of Widecombe who would be affected most by the proposed installation were the last to be considered.

'Not only is Airwave hoping to defile our beautiful surroundings, it also gets preferential treatment in composing a timetable,' he said.

The new date – it is now scheduled for August 12 – is the latest twist to the telecommunication giant's controversial proposal, originally turned down by the Dartmoor National Park Authority Management Committee.

When the inquiry into Airwave's appeal against the decision opened in October, the authority was forced to withdraw after Airwave produced new evidence at the last minute showing alternative sites would require the mast to be at least 19 metres.

Appeal procedures require evidence to be exchanged a month before the start of an inquiry, but this arrived only four days prior to the opening and late on a Friday afternoon after the authority's staff had left for the weekend.

The move was described by authority chairman Nigel Hoskin as cynical and completely unreasonable to disclose such crucial information so late in the day.

While the park withdrew its evidence, objecting residents pressed on with their case and the inspector, Martin Pike, adjourned the inquiry until January. After that three-day hearing residents waited for Mr Pike's decision, but in March there was another sting in the tail when the inspector announced it would have to be reopened because the accuracy of a plan of the appeal site had been questioned.

It was then pushed back to May and now that has gone out of the window and August 12 has been suggested by the Planning Inspectorate.

Mr Sibley said residents were being messed around again.

'It is quite an embarrassing set of affairs. I believe that to be sticking masts up in the national park is sacrilege,' he said.

In his letter he also queries why the DNPA has been given a voice when it comes to setting dates when by its own admission it has withdrawn.

'This mast application has hung like a foul shadow over our valley and particularly my family for far too long. I urge you to dismiss this appeal on the grounds of not only detrimental visual impact, but also insensitive location, lack of public consultation and lack of need.

'Last but by no means least the simple fact that what Airwave has applied for and indeed submitted for approval is incorrect and cannot be constructed. It cannot be amended or changed at this juncture.

'The population of our parish is feeling besieged, beleaguered and very worn down by the well paid machine of Airwave,' said Mr Sibley in his letter, who points out that August would be detrimental to the residents' cause because it is a particularly busy time for farmers and those getting everything ready for Widecombe Fair.

A spokesman for the DNPA said it was unfortunate that Airwave had put in a plan that did not match and the inquiry had to reopen on a procedural matter.

'It is unfortunate for the community that it is such a long period before we get a decision,' he said.