Mobile phone giant T-Mobile has launched a bid to install a telephone mast more than 38ft high at a shopping centre in Rugeley.

The company have lodged a planning application with the district council in a bid to get the mast installed at the Fernwood Shopping Centre on Green Lane.

Opponents say it will overlook Western Springs Primary School and should be refused for health reasons.

T-Mobile submitted their plan to the council on March 19 and a decision is likely to be made in the next six weeks.

Under plans the mast, to be 11.7 metres, or 38ft 4in, tall, will be on the car park at Fernwood Shopping Centre.

The installation will involve one monopole supporting three antennae in a shroud with equipment cabinets at ground level and other ancillary apparatus.

Local councillor Mick Grocott, who also sits on the district council’s ruling cabinet, said that he had already been contacted by a number of people worried about the proposal.

Councillor Grocott said: “A lot of local people have come to me about it. A lot of them don’t want something that big in a place like that.

“Some people are worried that until its proven these masts are safe in terms of the radiation from mobile phones then these kinds of masts shouldn’t be put in towns.”

He added: “In my opinion I do think this mast is in the wrong location.

“It is not very far from a primary school and I’m sure there are better sites nearby where it could go.”

Councillor Grocott, who pledged to take his concerns to planning officers at the district council, said: “In my opinion I think it is obtrusive and Fernwood Shopping Centre has its own problems without something like this.

“I don’t think putting a mobile phone mast in the car park will help much at all.”