COMMUNITIES across Durham are gearing up for another fight over plans to erect a string of mobile phone masts.

Between February and April, Vodafone and O2 were denied permission to build masts ranging from 14.8m to 17.5m high in the Gilesgate Moor, Belmont, Neville’s Cross and Stockton Road areas, often following outcry from residents.

Now Ken Thornley, who led the Gilesgate Moor campaign, believes the firms, which often share infrastructure, are about to try again.

Workers have already begun carrying out some preliminary work on Peel Avenue, he said.

It is believed the companies have suggested slight reductions in the proposed heights of each of the masts.

For Darlington Road, in Neville’s Cross, the firm has reduced the proposed height from 15m to 12.5m.

In a letter seen by The Northern Echo, project leaders say: ‘Having sought to identify a suitable alternative we are of the opinion that the proposed location offers the best solution in terms of technical coverage and minimising any impact on the visual amenity of the surrounding area’.

However, residents are concerned about the masts’ visual impact and alleged health risks.

Mr Thornley said: "Everybody is concerned about this. We’re still scared and worried. People are very frightened about the whole thing.

"Also, on a busy junction, it’s not what we need."

No renewed applications have yet been submitted to Durham County Council.

A spokeswoman for Cornerstone, a group including Vodafone and O2, said it had been disappointed not to win planning permission for the sites previously and, as with all refusals, was ‘considering all potential options to ensure coverage for our customers’.

The group had identified a need to improve 3G network coverage in Durham City, she said, and - while it recognised some communities were concerned - without base stations mobile phones would not work.

All stations were designed, built and run according to international guidelines with typical public exposure many hundreds or even thousands of times below these, she added.

O2 won permission to erect a 15m-high mast at St Giles service station, in Gilesgate, in March. Base stations can provide coverage up to half a mile away.