ANGRY residents have vowed to fight proposals to construct a phone mast near a popular Chester park.
Mobile phone giants Vodafone and O2 are behind plans for the 18-metre high structure on a site just off Chester Road, near Caldy Valley Nature Park.
Cheshire West and Chester Council (CWaC) spokesman Ian Callister confirmed they had received an application for prior approval from the two telecoms companies.
He said: “We have received an application on behalf of Vodafone and O2 for prior approval. It is an 18-metre high mast including antennae.
“It’s at the water pumping station in Chester Road, Huntington.” He added consultations would be held.
But resident Lisa Rowe said the mast would be within the boundary of the nature park and its radio waves posed a danger as it was close to many homes.
“Please consider the inherent dangers of living near a phone mast,” she said. “Only in the UK are we allowed to have these monstrosities close to homes and schools. In New Zealand and other countries they must be 500 metres away.
“An 18-metre mast located here will significantly damage the view for residents and park users. It is a valley with a stream which leads toward the Dee and an area of natural beauty.
The mast will have a negative impact, not only for us but for people using the meadows. We have a healthy wildlife population including woodpeckers, jays, kingfishers and bats. It is well known that mobile phone mast emissions affect the sonar of bats and therefore carry a very real threat to them."”
Pete Rowe, another resident, added: “Hardly anyone has been informed about this locally, the council seem to send out very selective letters. It will affect many properties and potentially their health. It is also extremely close to Dee Banks School.”
He urged people to voice their views at www. cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/
planningapplications.