AN APPEAL has been launched after plans for a new phone mast in Winchester were rejected.

The proposal, by CTIL & Vodafone LTD, would have seen a 17.5m mast erected at the corner of Athelstan Road and Andover Road but it received more than a dozen objections from nearby residents.

Dr Sarah Bayley, who lives in Athelstan Road, said: "I have read with interest the comments and objections to the application only last year for exactly the same proposal of an antenna/mast for Vodafone for the corner of this site and would echo the unquantifiable health concerns over placing such as mast near a children's playground and school for children with additional needs.

"It is also a prominent place to place a mast in a residential position with many other options in the locality and, indeed, another mast metres up the road on the corner of Bereweeke Road. There is little to hide it and it will be visible on approaching the hill from both sides on the road. The Vodafone reception is perfectly fine in this area, being a customer myself."

These themes were echoed by many of the objectors.