Residents living next to a site earmarked for a controversial mobile phone mast in Shrewsbury today said they would demonstrate against 02′s planning appeal victory to install it near houses.

The telecommunications firm has been granted planning permission for the 41ft mast on land next to the junction of Copthorne Park and Copthorne Road by planning inspectors, but residents are determined to make their feelings against it clear.

O2′s original application was turned down by Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council last June following opposition from 79 residents, as well as council leader Peter Nutting.

But the firm got that decision overturned following an appeal to planning inspectors.

Residents claim the mast will be an eyesore and are concerned it is too close to nearby housing and Woodfield County Infant School and St George’s Junior School.

Jon Sharp, 34, of Copthorne Road, said he was looking into forcing a judicial review of the decision but said it would probably prove too expensive.

He said residents were still determined to try to stop other masts being built around the county, even if it was too late for the one on their doorstep.

Mr Sharp said: “I live less than 100m from where the mast will be and have two children under the age of three. We only moved into the house last August after being told O2 wouldn’t be allowed to build the mast.

“I have already spoken to quite a few other residents and we are prepared to kick up a real stink about this.

“The phone companies should be sharing masts. This one is going to be very obtrusive. The only thing we can do is contest it in the high court, but that would be costly so I don’t really know what we can do.”

Under the conditions of the planning appeal the mast will be painted green to lessen the visual impact on the residential area.

O2 has defended the mast and said it had made a significant financial commitment to the site.

By Steve Todd