RESIDENTS are fuming after council planners missed the deadline to challenge proposals for an “ugly” phone mast for the second time.

Lewisham Council had 56 days to object to an application by phone company Vodafone to build a mast disguised as a lamppost next to Forster Park, in Whitefoot Lane, Catford.

But despite local opposition to the plans, the council missed the deadline to challenge the plans by one day.

Residents are furious because the 12-metre mast will be built next another one, built in 2006, which the council also failed to block within the required time period.

Mary Passande, of Haddington Road, Lewisham, lives just 100 yards from the current T-Mobile mast and is angry residents’ objections have been ignored for the second time.

The 68-year-old said: “The mast is ugly and intrusive. It’s a nice surburban area and I’m fed up with all this building going on.

“How much more are they going to turn into a metal jungle?

“I feel residents don’t have any clout any more and I feel stupid and powerless. I hope they’re ashamed of themselves.”

Because the proposed mast is under 15-metres the phone company does not have to apply for full planning permission and it is the council planning department’s responsibility to present any objections to the plans.

Lib Dem councillor Pete Pattisson says the council has failed the community again.

He said: “It's bad enough that the council got it wrong once, but to make the same mistake twice shows a total disregard for local people.

“Forster Park is a beautiful public space, but now local residents will have to walk through an arch of phone masts to reach the park.”

A council spokeswoman says the deadline was missed due to a clerical error.