FURIOUS residents have launched campaigns against plans for two mobile phone masts in Kidderminster and Stourport.

Planners were due to make recommendations on proposals for masts in Bewdley Road, Stourport, and on land near Husum Way, Kidderminster, this week.

Residents are buoyed by the case of villagers in Abberley who forced One2One to withdraw plans for a 10 metre high mast at The Common after opposition to the plan.

However the outlook is grim for Bewdley Road people as the plan involves an Orange pole mast which does not require planning permission as it is 15 metres tall. Planning officer Quita Morgan said she had received a 210-name petition against the mast.

As it would be shielded by a line of poplar trees, it would be judged to be "minimally intrusive" and would therefore satisfy siting and appearance criteria but town mayor Mick Grinnall said Bewdley Road residents were worried the mast would pose an eyesore if the trees were ever cut down.

District council leader Mike Oborski said there had been "an overwhelming response" from people against plans for another 15 metre high BT mast and cabin on the Offmore side of the rail line on land at Husum Way opposite the end of Barrie Avenue in Kidderminster. "We certainly do not want a mast and the associated building sited in the green belt," he added.

Planning officer Paul Wrigglesworth said that due to the timing of the application, it would go before a planning (development control) committee meeting on June 19. He has not yet decided whether to recommend it for approval or refusal.

New Government legislation is being introduced in stages which increases the level of public consultation required for masts under 15 metre tall.