Residents and a Danbury primary school are set to fight plans to add new receiver dishes to what they believe is the most congested mobile phone mast in any special landscape area in the UK.

They fear the possible, but unproven, health effects of having the mast so close to them.

One woman whose garden is dominated by the 150ft tall mast questions how she got eye cataracts at the age of 50.

And the head teacher of St John's School which is close to the Baker's Lane NTL mast says he thinks there should be no additions to the mast until it is definitely proven one way or another if there is a health risk from microwave radio frequency radiation.

The mast has been in place since about 1969 but over the years up to 19 different dishes have been added.

Mr Alan Hill says an original public inquiry only allowed for two dishes on the mast.

"We are now very alarmed about the health implications. My wife for instance has had two cataracts when she was only 50. We are not saying there is a link but who knows for sure. Likewise any other health effects are unproven and we feel that until we know one way or another no more dishes should be allowed."

St John's School head Mr Keith Parsons said: "We are concerned for the children especially as nothing is proved. The appearance of the mast is not something we are so concerned about because it has been there so long."

Mr Hill has written objecting to the latest plans to borough planning chief Clive Hollyman and is enlisting the aid of MP John Whittingdale and borough councillor Ian Wright.

High points: The Danbury mast pictured from Mr and Mrs Hill's garden.

By Peter Baker

Reporter's e-mail: peter.baker@essex-chronicle.co.uk

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