TWO mobile phone giants whose application to build a phone mast in a residential area in Romford was refused say they will not give up.

Both 02 and Vodafone want to build a telecommunications mast, disguised as a flagpole, on top of a building in Brentwood Road.

The 6.5 metre high structure would be a steel and glass reinforced plastic pole in white and hold six antennas.

A regulatory services meeting was held on Thursday at Havering Town Hall to discuss the application.

The committee decided to refuse the application on grounds the foot-wide structure would be a visual intrusion to the street scene and rear garden view, and detrimental to the area.

Councillor Sandra Binnion said at the planning meeting: “The problem I have is that it’s going to look like an ugly pole on top of a building.

‘There are small Victorian houses to the front and back of it and this will be plonked in the middle of it.”

She added that it would be an eyesore because it would be white and a foot wide.

Resident Deirdre Nee, of Kyne Road, said at the meeting: “Residents are left feeling really aggrieved over the application.

“It’s a residential area and the gardens look onto this. There are alternative sites for them to go, like the Lyon Road industrial estate.”

Despite this Jim Stevenson, speaking on behalf of 02 and Vodafone, said: “We are disappointed they turned it down. A lot of work went into the design and look of it.

“We will go back to the planning officer and speak to the people and work on the design.”

The council received a petition with 148 signatures and 62 letters against the proposal.

The reasons for residents’ objections included the height of the mast, inappropriate in a residential area, the proximity to residential properties, and unproven health concerns. The nearest house is 14 metres away from the mast.