PLANS to replace a mobile telephone mast with a tower, antenna and dishes in Ferryhill have met with opposition.

Sedgefield Borough Council says the proposal involves the replacement of a 15-metre mast at Mattinsons Bakery, Mainsforth Road, Ferryhill, with a 25-metre tower, antenna and dishes, with additional equipment and a cabin.

The redevelopment will allow the user of the site, Orange, to share its facilities with Vodafone.

But a resident who lives 45 metres from the site has objected to the scheme, arguing that the proposal would have a detrimental impact on the village, and spoil the view from his property.

A report to Sedgefield Borough Council's development control committee, which will debate the scheme at a meeting on Friday, says the installation of the new mast will help to improve Vodafone's poor coverage in the area.

The report says: "The shared use of the mast by two operators should eliminate the need for further masts in the area, which would cause, in the long term, greater visual damage."

The council is expected to approve the application.