West Wickham parents have hit out at mobile phone giants who say building a signal mast could harm the health of their kids.

Birch Tree Road resident Heather Dudley, who lives near the proposed site of the 10m mast, has raised a number of concerns. 

Phone companies Vodafone and Telefonica, under their joint venture company CTIL, submitted an application to build the post last month in the street, at its junction with Queensway.

The plans would see additional coverage for the two networks, and would replicate a telegraph pole.

But Mrs Dudley, who has two children Frank, three, and Hugo, five, said: “Like many other local residents and business owners, I am extremely concerned about the potential health risks this telegraph pole represents.

“With two young children who live extremely nearby the risks are unknown and extremely worrying.

MORE TOP STORIES “It’s very close to the houses and a school. Kids walk past on a daily basis, there’s a school right along the road.

“They don’t know for certain the long term effects on the brain and development from being so close.”

A spokesman for CTIL refuted that, claiming their masts have no ill effects, saying: “All Vodafone and Telefonica base stations operate well within guideline safety limits, below these guidelines there is no evidence of adverse health effects for any members of the public.”

In addition to the possible health risks the mum-of-two, who lives with her designer husband Benjamin, criticised the loss of open green space.

The 37-year-old added: “Local children of Coney Hall Village hang out there on warm days and it is unthinkable that pleasant green space could have a complete eyesore and dangerous 10 metre telephone mast on it.

"It is absolutely outrageous.

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Residents oppose the plans 

“Coney Hall has recently received village status and you do not put something like this bang slap in the centre of a village.”

CTIL have assured the development would not be very noticeable, but the space would still be lost, as they said: “The proposed base station will look similar to a telegraph pole. 

“This design will help the proposed mast blend into the street furniture at this location."

The company added it needed to build the mast to ‘improve coverage’ in the town, but Mrs Dudley pointed to boost boxes which can help with signal problems.

To view plans visit: searchapplications.bromley.gov.uk