A ROW is brewing over a mobile phone company's bid to erect a phone mast.

Planners have recommended Derwentside district councillors to refuse the unnamed company permission to site a 15-metre mast near St Mary's Convent, Ebchester, after receiving letters of objection.

Meanwhile, two long-running disputes in the nearby village of Burnopfield caused by separate companies applying to erect phone masts look likely to be resolved.

Councillors recently refused the mobile telephone companies permission to site the masts after separate campaigns from residents concerned about alleged health problems.

Now they will consider an application to replace a 15-metre mast on the village cricket ground with a 20-metre mast so the companies can share.

Councillors will consider the applications at a planning meeting on Thursday at Consett Civic Hall