GORSE Covert residents fighting to stop a telecommunications mast from being put up on the outskirts of their village are facing new plans which do not require council permission.

David Eccles, councillor for Birchwood East, met with planning officers on Friday and found that the new plans, which propose a different kind of mast, require only 40 days' statutory notice.

Development control officers previously turned down an application by Orange to erect the mast on farm land at School Lane, close to homes in Rockingham Close.

The new plans place the mast further away than the original plans and they are of a smaller design.

But the new design will have to go through a consultation process with planning officers and residents, and councillors are planning to object on the same grounds as last time.

Clr Eccles said: "There is still concern amongst the residents about the siting of the mast.

"I believe that there should be a case made nationally for the local community to be consulted where these applications have an impact on the area."

He is now trying to set up a meeting with the residents and planners to get a consultation process in motion.

If enough objections are made the issue could come to the next meeting of the development control committee on Wednesday, January 10.