PARENTS and residents have signed a petition protesting at plans for a mobile phone mast which could be built near their homes.

An application for a 15m telegraph pole in Sowerby Way, on the Durham Lane Industrial Estate, in Eaglescliffe, has been submitted to Stockton Borough Council by mobile phone company O2.

A cabin and fence would also be built on the site.

Families living on the nearby Kingsmead estate joined forces to protest at the plans, believing the mast could be built just yards away from a children's playground.

The company has said the mast will be located 70m away from the nearest house and 120m away from the playground, with three warehouses in between.

However, local residents are also concerned about the potentially harmful effects of radiation from the mast and believe it will be an eyesore which could devalue their houses, some of which were bought only recently.

A petition containing 69 names has been sent to the council as well as a number of letters of objection.

One resident said: "We have a young child who often plays in the playground and it is very worrying about the potential radiation that could be coming from the mast.

"We only recently moved into our house and just by speaking to other residents there seems to be a lot of concern over these plans.

"We do not want to see it granted approval."

A report to the council's planning committee, who meet on Friday to discuss the plans, said: "The site has been chosen as it fulfils the locational constraints, which limit where telecommunications installations can be developed.

"The cabin and fence will not be visible from the residential properties in Kingsmead due to the existing warehouses and industrial buildings.

"It has been located within an industrial setting in order to minimise its visual impact, therefore striking a balance between technical and environmental factors.

"It is considered the siting and design of the proposed mast is acceptable and that prior approval is not needed."