RESIDENTS have objected to plans to install a 20-metre-high mobile phone mast in a residential area next to a secondary school.

Hutchinson 3G UK has applied to Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council asking form permission to install the mast on a piece of land at the corner of Vyne Road and Queen Mary Avenue, in South View, outside The Vyne School.

The installation would include six antennas and two transmission dishes, along with four equipment cabinets.

The application states: “This location has been identified as being integral to the needs of H3G’s network in this area”.

However, residents have objected to the plans, saying the location is not suitable. The height of the mast would be at least double that of an average two storey house.

Pauline Hughes, from Darlington Road, said: “It would stand well in excess of the surrounding streetlights and residential properties which are substantially less than 20m in height. Something of this height should be located in an industrial/employment area.”

She also pointed out that the mast might obscure the view for drivers using the junction.

Alison Jones, from Burgess Road, raised concerns about the safety of the mast, saying: “I already suffer from severe tinnitus and there is circumstantial evidence that transmission poles such as these make tinnitus worse.”

Mr Lampard, from Darlington Road, said in his objection: “I would rather live without 5G than with this proposal.”

He added: “Could the proposal be in a more obtrusive location? Placed on the exposed corner of Queen Mary Avenue it will instantly become the most striking landmark within the ‘conservation’ area.”