PLANS for a 25-metre mobile phone mast near Chester-le-Street has provoked a storm of protest from residents.

Chester-le-Street District Council has received 525 letters of objection to a proposed mobile phone mast situated approximately 200 yards from homes in Pelaw Grange.

The construction would stand ten metres higher than an average mobile phone mast. The company behind the application, Hutchinson 3G, says this is necessary because the mast is being built so far away from the residential areas it is designed to cover and needs to overcome surrounding hills.

There will also be provision for two to three other antennae from other mobile phone companies to be added in the future, although planning permission would need to be granted for each additional one. Hutchinson 3G said this is in accordance with government guidance to limit the amount of mobile phone masts built.

But one protestor, who lives near the proposed site, said she was concerned about potential side-effects of emissions from the antenna.

She said the independent Stewart report, which sets out guidelines in situating mobile phone masts, recommends a precautionary approach to building masts near homes and schools until "more robust, significant information" into the dangers is made available. She said that in the surrounding area there were residential areas, play areas, homes for the elderly and a school.

The protestor said: "A map has been submitted with the planning application showing the rearranged antenna so that the beam of greatest intensity does not fall directly on the school. But this mast is to have provision for not just one, but possibly several antennae in the future."

The campaigner, who has asked to remain anonymous, was so concerned she wrote to neighbours informing them of the plans, which has resulted in the district council receiving hundreds of letters of objections. She has also started a petition.

A spokesman for Hutchinson 3G said: "We work hard to try to provide the best solution for an area, which necessarily involves some compromise, but we do our work carefully and comply with strict national guidelines endorsed by the Government."

A spokesman for the council confirmed they had received the letters of objection and said they would be taken into consideration.

The plans will go before councillors on Monday, December 9, at 6pm.