RESIDENTS are up in arms at proposals to put a mobile telephone mast in a picturesque part of Ipswich.Hutchison 3G – commonly known as the mobile phone company 3 - wants put a third-generation radio base station, including a 10 metre high mast, in Henley RoadBut residents in the area are outraged and are thinking of starting a petition.

RESIDENTS are up in arms at proposals to put a mobile telephone mast in a picturesque part of Ipswich.

Hutchison 3G – commonly known as the mobile phone company 3 - wants put a third-generation radio base station, including a 10 metre high mast, in Henley Road

But residents in the area are outraged and are thinking of starting a petition.

Witold Janowski, 84, of Henley Road, said: "They have chosen a point right in front of my gate. I think if they placed it further away from the main road, there would be less upset.

"It will be unsightly and there will also be radiation.

"I think all the neighbours are going to get together and put a petition together. Nobody around here wants it. It won't just be a pole – there will be other things around it."

Mr Janowski's granddaughter, who often visits her grandfather, is also concerned.

Carrie Stuttle, 27, of Peterhouse Crescent, Woodbridge, said: "I am worried about the radiation. I have got two children and I wouldn't want them to get damaged in any way."

Lilian and Ken Fayers, of Henley Road, agreed. Mrs Fayers, 75, said: "We don't like the idea of it at all. Elderly people, as well as people with prams and dogs, use the path like an arboretum.

"The mast will be an eyesore in a lovely area. Lots of people round here are up in arms about it."

Roy Radley, 62, of Hadley Road, added: "I think it is bad news. It is in a residential area and also in an attractive area. It is going to be an eyesore, an absolute eyesore. The last thing we want is a mast."

The proposed site is the grass verge on the east side of Henley Road, opposite number 271.

Should it go ahead, the structure will include a 10m high mast, three antennas, a dish antenna and housing for the radio equipment.

A spokesman for 3 said the company was looking to expand its coverage.

He said: "We have a high demand for customers in the area and we want to provide a high quality network. We have designed it [the mast] with the environment in mind. On either side of the proposed site are two large trees, which are around eight metres high.

"There are no health risks. Research has shown that mobile base stations do not pose health risks."

Ipswich Borough Council is now considering the planning application.

The public consultation period finishes at the end of May and the decision is expected next month.

What do you think about having a mobile telephone mast in Henley Road? Write in to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk or visit the forum at www.eveningstar.co.uk

Do you have anything you are concerned about in the north-west Ipswich area? Or good news you want to tell people about. Contact Meyrem Hussein on 01473 324792 or e-mail meyrem.hussein@eveningstar.co.uk