OBJECTORS have threatened to rip up a phone mast if BT Cellnet gets permission to build it in the middle of a town.
The planning committee for Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council has met to discuss the application to put up a mobile phone mast outside the Co-op in the middle of Normanby High Street.
Objectors have already handed a petition of 621 signatures against the proposal to the planning committee.
At a packed meeting in Eston Town Hall, councillors representing the Normanby ward were on hand to back residents' fears.
Councillor George Dunning, deputy leader of the council, said local people were concerned about the health risks associated with the masts.
He said: "I am not one for inciting criminal damage, but people have told me it will be ripped down and vandalised if it goes up because feelings are running high."
BT claims the mast is needed to improve coverage in the area.
The committee backed the fears of the local people and voted unanimously to refuse the plan on the grounds it would be detrimental to the amenities in the area.
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