CONTROVERSIAL Tetra radio equipment could remain on Hampshire farmland even though the landowner has asked for it to be removed.

The company which owns the land wants Tetra mast operator mmO2 to remove the mast it erected without planning permission.

Last week Hythe business General Estates told Airwave mmO2 it did not want a Tetra mast to remain on Home Farm, Dibden, because of an outcry from nearby schools and residents, who fear it could pose a possible health hazard.

The telecom giant, which erected the mast last summer, withdrew its latest planning application on Monday.

However, Orange, which also has a mast on Home Farm, says mm02 now wants to put its Tetra equipment - part of Hampshire police's new radio system - there too.

An Orange spokesman said: "We've received an application from mmO2 to site-share, but they're looking at a site-share on a Vodafone mast in the vicinity too."

The move has sparked more anger from local residents and campaigner Mike Martin said: "These masts are probably about 40 feet away from one another.

"Look at the masts and see how close they are. We believe they are trying to pull a fast one"

General Estates director, Andrew Percy, said "There was a suggestion at some point that that was how they would do it.

"But they can't use the existing mast so they would have to rebuild it.

"Because of our licence agreement with Orange, they have pretty much the right to put other systems on it.

"If mmO2 are totally stuck, in

theory, they have a right to compulsory purchase.

"It's government policy to have this system in place so the tools are available to make sure it happens. But the feeling locally is that it's (Tetra) a health hazard."

New Forest MP Julian Lewis is organising a petition for Dibden residents who fear the radio waves Tetra masts emit could cause cancer.

He said: "If, as it appears, they intend to combine Tetra with other domestic transmission devices that are there, then, obviously, the concerns of the community will remain unresolved.

"It's a matter of particular concern given that the people who own the land indicate that they take the concerns of the community

seriously."

Airwave spokesman Peter Sitch said: "It's a matter between us and our advisers."