OPPOSITION to new generation '3 G' mobile phone masts is mounting but Test Valley Borough Council, along with other local councils, has been told it cannot consider the possible health impact on neighbours provided the proposals meet a minimum standard.

When chancellor Gordon Brown sold the 3G licences to five telecom companies for a total of £22.47 billion it was a major boost for national government finances but since then local government has been told through an instruction called Policy Planning Guidance 8 that it should not even discuss the health risk.

Currently several masts are being planned to meet anticipated 3G demand in the Andover area - at Upper Clatford close to the A303, at Picket Piece to cater for Walworth and at Charlton in the middle of a residential area.

The '3 G' mobile phone offers a huge number of features including high resolution video.

Rosalin Desborough, who has lived at her Park View Close home in Charlton for 14 years, said; "For us it will be a double whammy. There are pylons close by. When we moved in there was no concern about the health risk associated with them.

"Now we are worried about the possible long term effect of having the pylons and one of these masts close together. "There are houses all around. Have they really considered the implications of putting it here?"

Rosalin and her husband Andrew have been in touch with local councillors and are now planning to call on MP Sir George Young.

For the applicants Nick Higgins, of Mason D Telecoms, said: "The sub station is the most appropriate location for a telecom mast in the Charlton area.

This application will provide 3G service to the A343, Charlton and surrounding area.

"The A343 is a very heavily used commuter route and at peak times huge demand for the service will be placed on the network."

The mast to be erected at the electricity site in Charlton is 15 metres tall. The one planned for the site near Balksbury Hill near the A303 is 20 metres.

Another application is pending at Jubilee Farm, Picket Piece, for Vodafone.

Twinings, International Thomson Publishing and Ducal all rejected proposals from Vodafone to site a mast on their premises in the area.