Abbots Langley residents have vowed to fight plans which could see communication masts built metres from their homes.

Companies Vodafone and 02 have submitted plans to Three Rivers District Council to build two masts in Gallows Hill Lane and Hazelwood Lane.

According to proposals, Gallows Hill Lane would have to accommodate a street furniture pole measuring 12.5 metres with six antennas, while Hazelwood Lane would have a 14.8 metre pole with six antennas installed.

Both applications do not require express planning permission as they constitute permitted development under the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development Order) 1995, as amended by the Town and Country Planning (General Permitted Development) (Amendment) (England) Order 2001.

They must, however, complete a 56-day prior approval procedure, which allows Three Rivers District Council time to consider whether the siting and appearance of the proposed development is acceptable or not.

Vodafone and O2 representatives claim the site has been selected to “share network assets”, reducing “the overall number of new base station locations for both parties, reduce deployment costs and follow the guidance set out in planning legislation.”

They further claim to have identified a need to improve 3G coverage to customers in Abbots Langley.

But residents are rallying together to prevent the companies from going ahead with their plans, stating they will not “take this lying down”.

Mother-of-two Louise Ayres, of High Acres, said: “My major concern is the health risks - not just for my children – there is a school nearby.

“Yes there have been studies, but how reliable are they?

“For years people did not know how harmful smoking was and now we are all aware of the dangers.

“Who is to say that in years to come, the same will not happen when it comes to radiation from the masts, and we’ll all discover that in fact it is harmful?”

According to Mrs Ayres if proposals are given the green light, the mast will be built about 20 metres from her home.

She said: “It’s going to be an eyesore. Who wants to see a mast outside the front of their home?

“It will be three times the height of a street light, so it will stick out like a sore thumb.

“It is quite clear Vodafone and O2 are determined to build these masts, they’ve submitted applications on three occasions.

“Residents are not happy. They’re trying to run roughshod over us; it’s becoming a war of attrition.

“I will never use their services again.”

Estate agent John Allen, who is based in Abbots Langley High Street, warned home-owners could face difficulty in selling their homes.

He said: “These masts would do very little to enhance properties.

“In fact, some may find that attracting buyers in the first place would be very difficult, particularly those with families. Who knows the health risks associated?

“I would estimate that homes in Hazelwood Lane would see a five per cent drop in their value as a result of the masts.”

Representatives from Vodafone and O2 would not respond to how the masts would affect market value of nearby properties.

But in a statement, a spokesperson did try to allay fears surrounding “radiation” from the masts: “We recognise that some communities are concerned regarding the deployment of radio base stations close to residential areas but without radio base stations, mobile phones will not be able to work.

“All of our base stations are designed, built and operated in accordance with stringent international guidelines laid down by the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection.

“The adoption of these guidelines has the formal backing of independent bodies such as the World Health Organisation.

“Typical public exposures from our base stations will be many hundreds, if not thousands, of times below these guidelines.”

Have you been affected by the plans?

If so email the news desk at: Amulderrig@london.newsquest.co.uk