Campaigners are asking for an “eyesore” telephone mast in Bushey to be removed after it breached planning law.

CTIL and Telefonica and Vodafone Ltd have submitted a retrospective application to Hertsmere Borough Council for installing a 15 metre pole with antennas and four equipment cabinets in Little Bushey Lane.

Elizabeth Tomlins, who owns the house opposite the telephone mast, is spearheading a petition against the location of the pole.

She said: “It is an absolute eyesore.

“The cabinets and poles are monstrosities – it is intrusive, obtrusive and just looks awful. They should not have been allowed to put it there in the first place.”

In April this year, Ms Tomlins headed another petition against the location of the telephone mast. However, because ‘prior approval’ was not required, the application went ahead.

According to the council’s policy, applications for telephone masts do not follow the same procedure as other planning application and are subject to prior approval.

This means that as long as the mast is 15 metres tall or under, it is automatically permitted. Planning officers can only consider the siting or appearance of the mast.

The contractors, however, have installed cabinets that are larger than what was indicated on their plans, therefore invalidating their application. As a result they now need to seek full planning permission.

Ms Tomlins said: “The mast is right next to green space in a lovely area.

“The council has the responsibility to the residents of Bushey on the up keeping of the character and appearance of the road.

“The mast spoils the road and should be taken down.”

Bushey Heath councillor Brenda Batten is supporting the residents. She said: “I disagreed with the approval of the application in the first place.

“The mast itself is an eyesore that is not very pleasant for the residents living in the neighbouring properties.

“Nobody is against having a telephone mast – we need to communicate, but there are better places that they can be put where they are inconspicuous.”

The application for the telephone mast will be decided at a planning committee meeting in due course.

Councillor Brenda Batten will be speaking on behalf on the residents against the application.