A proposed 15m high mobile phone mast that could be put up close to a school in Shrewsbury is not needed in the town, a campaigner has claimed.

Telefonica Ltd has applied to install a mast on Roman Road, close to the playing fields of Shrewsbury School. Campaigners say they can’t see why another one is needed as the area is already well covered.

Richard Houlgate, whose home on Roman Road is directly opposite the planned site for the mast, said he did not believe the technology was necessary as the area already has good mobile phone reception.

“Masts that serve the area are located at Nobold Lane, the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, Copthorne Road and Town Walls so it is difficult to understand why another one is needed,” said Mr Houlgate.

“The proposed mast is about 15m high with most homes being 5m to 6m high to the gutter.

“The nearby trees measure 10m to 13m high so this means that the mast will tower over buildings and the trees alongside it.

“This would affect the conservation area lying to the north east of Roman Road and covering the grounds of Shrewsbury School.

“Houses on Roman Road which will only be about 30m from the proposed mast will be subjected to the full force of the radiation beam from the mast.”

He added that he understood the Government had advised health fears should not be taken into consideration when rulings were made on mobile phone masts.

But Mr Houlgate said that he was concerned about the potential effects of the masts on people living close to them. “It has not been proven that phone masts are dangerous to health but there is considerable evidence to suggest that there may be a danger.”

Andy Lewis, a spokesman for the scheme, said that the proposed site had been carefully selected following a consultation period.

“We have reviewed our network development proposals in this area and have evaluated suitable site shares, existing structures and buildings,” he said in a letter to planners.

“The site that is the subject of this application is identified as the most suitable option that balances operational need with local planning policies and national planning policy guidance.”

A public consultation on the mast proposals is open until November 17.

By Chris Burn