Fury over phone mast

Angry villagers living on the outskirts of Stourport are protesting against proposals to site a 45ft mast on a verge near their homes and a first school.

Areley Kings residents have now called a protest meeting to be held at the village hall at 8pm on Wednesday to discuss the proposals.

They believe the plan would create a 'blot on the landscape' and devalue their homes.

And they argue that there is no need for the single-pole mast which 02 wants to site on a verge on Pearl Lane, about 200 metres from Areley Common First School.Retired journalist Jerry Hjelter, aged 59, whose home stands 50 metres away from the site of the proposed mast, said: "We plan to fight plans to erect this mast in Pearl Lane.

"The site backs onto Abberley Avenue and local people are annoyed that this will be close to homes and a primary school.

"This grass verge backs onto fields designated as an area of natural beauty.

"We have been told that we cannot oppose this on health grounds but there is a school with young children only 200 metres away.

"The agents have said that there is a demand for 02 mobile services in the area and claim the mast is needed to ensure people get a good reception but as far as we can see there is no technical data to back this up.

"I don't want it erected because as far as I am concerned this will devalue my property.

"People might say that it is a case of not-in-my-backyard, but our home is the biggest asset my wife and I have and if it was devalued by 20 per cent that cannot be right."

Tina Ashmore, aged 35, who lives with husband Chris and their two children, aged seven and three between 30 and 40 metres from the mast site, said: "This will be a great big blot on the landscape. The ironic thing is that my husband has an 02 phone and they say this area is not covered but he has been receiving calls."

By Sue Smith