RESIDENTS are facing another application for a mobile phone mast on a site at the edge of their village, where there is already permission for two masts.

RESIDENTS are facing another application for a mobile phone mast on a site at the edge of their village, where there is already permission for two masts.

Mobile phone company O2 has applied to install a 22.9 metre lattice mast next to Stratford Hill Cottages, Billy's Lane, close to the A12 in Stratford St Mary.

In 2001 Babergh District Council refused planning permission for a 15 metre monopole on the same site, which is in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, after a vigorous campaign by residents.

However the council's decision was overturned on appeal in December 2002.

In March this year planning permission was granted to Orange for a 15 metre monopole on the same land.

However, neither Orange nor One 2 One has yet installed masts and a Babergh spokesman said he believed the latest application from O2 was being proposed as an alternative that the other two would then be invited to share.

Bill Davies, chairman of Stratford St Mary Parish Council, said the council had been informed at its planning meeting an application was expected but had yet to see the details.

He said: "This one is going to be more prominent than the others. They seem to be intent on littering the countryside [with masts]. There are mixed feelings throughout any community and here is no different."

The parish council is hoping to have the details of the latest application in time to discuss it at its next meeting on July 7.

O2 was unable to comment on whether Orange and One 2 One had agreed to share the lattice mast if it received planning permission, though a spokesman said it would be technically possible for three operators to use a lattice mast of this size.