PLANS to erect a 10-metre high telecommunications mast at Abberley on a site of "great landscape value" have sparked fierce protests by villagers.

Residents are furious because they say they were not informed about the plans by One 2 One to install the mast, antennae and equipment cabin at The Common.

Protesters claim the mast would be unsightly and could pose a health threat.

Resident Roger Palmer said they only found out about the plans after an anonymous tip-off to someone living in a house closest to the site, off the A443 Stockton Road.

He said: "I've got 10 signatories in the last hour for a petition against the mast and not one of those knew anything about it until now."

He said the nearest house to the proposed mast was 100 metres away and those who lived closest were worried emissions could pose a health threat.

Others living in Abberley were upset about the unsightliness of the proposed mast with three antennae sited close to 20 houses.

"This is land of great natural beauty and this would be stuck right in the middle of it," he added.

Following representations by protesters, the annual parish meeting and parish council have written to Malvern Hills District Council planners, outlining concerns. In all, there are eight objections on siting, appearance and defects in the application itself.

Parish clerk Paul Leopold said there had been a "rash" of recent applications to erect telecommunication masts because under new Government regulations, similar applications submitted after May 1 would have to go through the full planning process.

He added that the Stuart Report, which had looked at the issue of telecommunication masts, had concluded that there was no evidence that they caused any harm to people living near to them.

District council planning officer Andrew Moody said under previous regulations council officers could only refuse an application to erect a mast on appearance and siting.

He added officers were obliged to give a decision to One 2 One by today.

District planning councillors have thrown out proposals for One 2 One to build a 30ft mast in Dog Lane, Bewdley.

Bewdley Town Council, the Highways Authority and 26 members of the public had written objecting to the plan.

Members agreed with the recommendation from planning officer Quita Morgan stating the mast would have an adverse impact on a "gateway" to Bewdley.