A MOBILE phone mast disguised to look like a dead tree will not be installed on the outskirts of Chelmondiston.Babergh District Council has refused Orange Personal Communications Ltd permission to install the 20 metre high mast at the Little Barnes nursery.

A MOBILE phone mast disguised to look like a dead tree will not be installed on the outskirts of Chelmondiston.

Babergh District Council has refused Orange Personal Communications Ltd permission to install the 20 metre high mast at the Little Barnes nursery.

A spokesman for the company's agents, Barnes-Rennison Ltd, said Orange was disappointed by the refusal because there was poor coverage on the Shotley Peninsula for mobile phone users.

Orange had other applications in the pipeline for the area, he said, and would be reviewing the situation.

Babergh rejected the proposal because of the effect such a large structure would have on the surrounding Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. It felt that even disguised as a dead tree such a large structure would be obviously "man made".

Cathy Crouch, vice chairwoman of Chelmondiston Parish Council, said that although people realised there was poor coverage for mobile phones in the area they were not prepared to see such objects close to their homes.

She said: "The council is relieved to have fended off this application."