Villagers were due to hold a crunch meeting with mobile phone bosses today over controversial plans for a new mast. The meeting will be held in West Felton, near Oswestry.  

Villagers have called for the mast, in fields near The Avenue, to be taken away from homes and schools as they are frightened of possible health risks from radiation.

They recently snubbed an alternative site put forward by the mobile phone giant Orange, who own the mast.

Campaigners say the new site proposed at Aston Moor will still be an eyesore for residents in The Avenue and will also be intrusive for those living in Queens Head and Lady Hill, who have now also joined the fight.  

Following a meeting between Orange, Pat Mabe, West Felton Parish Council chairman, and Councillor Aggie Caesar-Homden, Oswestry Borough Council member for Ruyton and West Felton, the mobile phone giant has agreed to hold an open consultation.

The event will be held in St Michael’s Hall, West Felton, today, from 4.30-7pm.

Councillor Caesar-Homden said: “Following the meeting with Orange, we felt it would be a good idea if they spoke to villagers and have an informal meeting.

“I hope as many residents will come along to look at the evidence for all of the sites and take the opportunity to express their views.”

The meeting forms part of the pre-consultation, before Orange looks to submit its application to the planning committee in January.

At the meeting residents will be able to look at the research already carried out into other proposed sites as well as having an opportunity to ask questions about the existing and new sites.