PHONE mast opponents in Winchester say they are deeply concerned at plans to allow operator 3 to increase the size of a mast in the city.

Hutchison 3G has won permission to buildup their current mast at the Teg Down Reservoir site on Sarum Road from 15m to 20m.

Hutchison 3G claims the move will give their customers better reception and should also allow for more coverage.

However, those opposing the plans are calling the move insensitive because of the proximity to both the King's School's boarding house and the Royal Hampshire County Hospital, and because there was so much opposition to the original plan two years ago.

They also say local residents were given insufficient notice of the proposals meaning few were able to register their opposition.

Now though, Winchester City Council's planning chiefs have agreed to give members of the public another chance to voice their opposition at a meeting next month, despite already passing 3's plans.

One of those who was concerned at the proposal is Councillor Neil Baxter, a member of Winchester City Council's telecommunications sub-committee.

He said: "I opposed the application on the grounds that building a bigger mast right next to a school boarding house and a hospital is stretching things a bit too far, as no-one has yet managed to give us a promise that these things are 100 per cent safe."

The other thing is that the people living around it didn't know anything about the application and that's clearly not right."

Long-term mast opponent Karen Barratt, has spearheaded a campaign to block the erection of another mast on Byron Avenue.

Mrs Barratt said: "This whole situation is definitely a case of dj-vu and very concerning.

"Last time an application was put in over Easter. This time letters were sent out at the start of the summer holidays.

"I'm sure the vast majority of those affected by the proposals don't really know what's going on. You have to suspect that that is the aim ofputting the application in at this time."

Noone from Hutchison 3G was available for comment.

The chance for residents to have a further say on the proposals will take place at the next scheduled meeting of the council's planning and development control panel on Wednesday, September 8.

Meanwhile, the campaign against the Byron Avenue phone mast will continue in London in November when the Appeal Court will consider Caroline St Leger Davey's and Diane Harrison's appeal against a ruling to uphold a planning inspector's decision to allow the mast.