A NEW 15 metre high mobile phone mast could be built in a Suffolk village, sparking concerns among some residents who say it will be an eyesore.Hutchison3G hope to see the mast installed in Thorney Green Road, Stowupland near Stowmarket, insisting it will be sympathetically designed to blend in with the environment.

A NEW 15 metre high mobile phone mast could be built in a Suffolk village, sparking concerns among some residents who say it will be an eyesore.

Hutchison3G hope to see the mast installed in Thorney Green Road, Stowupland near Stowmarket, insisting it will be sympathetically designed to blend in with the environment.

The monopole will help the company build its new network for mobile phones and other mobile products, including face to face video phone calls.

Mike Davies, community affairs manager for Hutchison3G, said the new mast is critical for the firm as they aim to serve motorists using the A14.

He said: "We are building a new network which will cover the whole of the country and part of that means it is critical that we cover the main traffic and commercial routes. The A14 is quite critical to that, being the east/west link.

"This site will link in to the rest of the network, allowing travellers or communities to access the new network. The design will be a timber clad monopole, slim line, a design we use a lot across the country.

"Although we are not using trees, we are using a design we feel is as sympathetic as we feel necessary for the environment.''

Mr Davies said that although some people are concerned about such masts on health grounds, the company fully complies with the scientific standards.

But Angela Packer, of Thorney Green in Stowupland, said the village has already had one application for a 15 metre high monopole given permission during 2000, followed by a second application last year to replace it by one 50per cent higher.

She said: "Few people are against mobile telephones, but more and more people are urging, even demanding, more appropriate and sympathetic siting of equipment and masts by those who seem to be just hell bent on making money and vast profits.

"This latest application is for a 15 metre high wooden mast, so how long will it be before that is replaced by a taller one?

"Big business is climbing on the back of easy planning regulations and we need to wake up to this fact. Stowupland may not be thought, by some people, to be the prettiest village in Suffolk.

"But it is our home, we love it and we resent it being spoiled by those who seem intent on surrounding our village with their eyesores.''

Jan Lake, chairwoman of Stowupland Parish Council, said councillors would be debating the proposal when they meet today.

A spokeswoman for Mid Suffolk District Council said they are currently consulting those who live near the site proposed for the mast, before reaching a decision.