Concern over mobile phone mast near school

O2 has unveiled plans for a 15 metre tall mast in Wellgreen Lane, just a short distance from Iford and Kingston Primary School.

The mast will be disguised as a telegraph pole and include an equipment cabinet on the ground.

O2 says it is needed to improve mobile phone reception in the area and the company has been unable to get permission for a mast elsewhere.

Claudia Williams, a resident of Wellgreen Lane, said: 'We're all absolutely furious. If it goes any further we will do everything we can to stop it from being put up in the village.

'We don't even need an O2 mast, I have a 02 phone and the reception is absolutely fine.

'It's unbelievable they want to put a mast up so close to a school.'

Stephen Elliot, headteacher of the school said parents of pupils have already complained about the potential health risks.

He said: 'It's pretty close to the school, I'd say less than 100 metres.

'We have discussed it with the governors, at the moment we aren't taking a view until we have more information except the one concern would be if there was some health issues.

'The letter has only been sent to residents in the immediate area but one or two parents who live locally have said they have concerns about it.'

A spokesman for O2 said: 'We have started the consultation process and are writing to local people telling them what we plan to do and asking them for their comments.

'There are no real government guidance about schools, there is a voluntary code of conduct which we follow and we have written to the school.'

He said the application will be submitted to Lewes District Council in the next week.