CONCERNED residents have spoken out about plans to build a mobile phone mast outside a Worcester care home.

If planning permission is granted, a 15m-high 02 UK Ltd mast, disguised as a telegraph pole, could be situated outside South Hayes Care Home in London Road - an area which lies within the Sidbury and Fort Royal Conservation Area.

Resident Paul Smith said the mast, six shrouded antennas and two equipment cabinets would be a dominating eyesore and destroy the views into the city.

"Most people come down London Road from the motorway, therefore the first thing they would see would be a mobile phone mast and generator boxes all over the place," he said.

He added that noise from cabinets was also a concern, as was the danger of setting a precedent.

"Once one mast is there you can guarantee someone else will want to put one up," said the 50-year-old.

Mr Smith, who suggested 02 shared nearby masts instead, said his efforts to contact the company had been ignored.

A spokesman for the South Hayes Care Home also expressed grave concerns about the application. "The health and safety of residents and staff must always take priority," he said.

"We do not take too kindly to microwaves pulsating around them.

"Also, the attractive view of the Malvern Hills which is currently enjoyed by our residents will be spoiled with this obscene obstruction."

A spokeswoman for 02 said: "These are very low-powered radio transmitters.

"There has been research worldwide for the last 10 years and all this has said there is no evidence of any risk to health from the mobile phone masts.

"We try to place these masts so that they have the least environmental impact possible and ensure that they fit in with other street furniture."

She said that mast sharing was always the first option considered, but was not possible here because a two-metre gap was required between antennas, which would create a large lattice design that would be refused by planners.

She said the cabinets would be steel insulated and should not create noise.

Anyone wanting information about the proposal can email 02 at network.consultation@02.com

The application is expected to go before Worcester City Council's planning committee on Thursday, August 10.