THE siting of a 60ft phone mast near a new housing estate in Halesowen has won the go-ahead, despite objections from residents.

Fifteen letters were sent to Dudley Council urging refusal of the plan for a mast on an industrial estate in Banners Lane for 2G and 3G mobile providers.

Objectors feared it wiould be an eyesore, was too close to houses and could cause property values to fall.

They also said there were already two masts at the site and feared a potential health risk.

In a report to Monday’s development control committee, officers admitted the visual impact of the mast would be “fairly significant,” particularly with views from the new housing development immediately to the north.

But councillors voting to approve the application agreed the impact would be no greater than that of the existing two masts.

Also, under national guidelines planning authorities should not reconsider health matters when, as in this case, applicants have self-certified that the base station conforms to the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation guidelines.