A MOBILE phone company is making a bid to erect a 17-metre mobile phone mast close to homes on a Kidderminster industrial estate.

Vodafone has submitted plans for the mast on the premises of GP Automotives on the Greenhill Industrial Estate.

Vodafone has also submitted planning applications to erect similar masts at Kidderminster Golf Club and at Woodhouse Farm, Pound Green, Bewdley.

Liberal Focus district councillor Graham Ballinger said there was opposition to the siting of the mast at Greenhill from residents.

"There is a lot of concern locally because the site is very near to a number of houses," he said. "There's no reason why people should be put at any risk. It isn't a question of not-in-my-backyard. Until there is conclusive evidence about safety, these masts shouldn't be put anywhere near houses."

Because of the height of the masts, Vodafone has to apply for planning consent.

"We will certainly be objecting to this plan," Mr Ballinger said. "Big companies like Vodafone have powerful legal departments working for them but we have to make a stand."

Liberal Focus county councillor Fran Oborski said: "We will be informing local residents of the Greenhill application and advising those who are against the plan to send in their objections."

As a member of the district council's development control committee Mrs Oborski cannot give an opinion on an application until it goes before the committee.

She said a survey carried out of Greenhill residents showed "overwhelming" opposition to a mast.

The three masts would be 15.2m high with six antennae above in the case of the Greenhill and golf club masts and four antennae above on the Pound Green mast.