A TELECOMMUNICATIONS company is appealing a planning committee's decision to refuse permission to erect a mobile phone mast in a north Durham residential area.

O2 wants to install a 12-metre signal transmitter on land south of Carlingford Road, on the Garden Farm Estate, in Chester-le-Street.

It was refused permission in June by the Chester-le-Street District Council's planning department.

The committee has received 600 letters of opposition to the mast from locals following a campaign started by the Garden Farm and West Lane Community Association.

Association chairman Reg Nelson said: "I can't quite understand why they want to put it in the middle of a residential area near the local shops.

"There are plenty of other areas in Chester-le-Street where they can put the aerial, so I do not know why they are so determined to put it there."

Mr Nelson urged people with strong views on the matter to write to the planning inspector who will investigate the council's decision to refuse permission.

Letters should quote reference number APP/G1305/A/05/1185984 and be sent to The Planning Inspectorate, Room 3-03, Kite Wing, Temple Quay House, 2 The Square, Bristol, BS1 6PN.

No one from O2 was available for comment when contacted by The Northern Echo yesterday.