A 20-METRE phone mast could dominate the skyline of one of Winchester's most densely populated areas, residents fear.

People living in Fairfield and Cranworth Roads in Fulflood say the Vodafone tower plan in Andover Road could ruin the visual beauty of the city, as well as affect their health.

James Read, who lives in Fairfield Road, said of the proposal for Hunts Frozen Foods, near to the railway station: "The huge mast is unsuited to the centre of Winchester, supposedly the number one city in which to live in the UK.

"It would be in a visually-devastating central Winchester site, with unknown health risks."

He was worried that residents were not being given enough time to voice their concerns, as the planning application went in during the peak holiday season, and the public notice for the application was published in the press last Thursday (August 24) - the day of the deadline for public response.

But the deadline for objections has now been extended until September 13, giving residents more time to have their say.

Cllr Karen Barratt, one of the ward councillors for Fulflood, who has been an outspoken opponent of phone masts, said: "It's really going to loom over the skyline.

"The three ward councillors will be making a formal objection because although it's on commercial premises, it's in a predominantly residential part of Winchester.

"It's far too big, it's going to be an eyesore and a real blot on the landscape, it's totally inappropriate and I think a lot of residents will object."

The mast will accommodate antennae and dishes on behalf of T-mobile and Hutchison 3G in addition to Vodafone.

If Winchester City Council's Telecom Sub-Committee refuses the application when it meets on September 17, Vodafone will still be able to put up a 15-metre mast approved in January 2006.

The telecom giant is also hoping to install a base station on the Sarum Road Reservoir site.

O2, which owns the biggest of the three masts already on that site, will be submitting an application for a mast share with Vodafone in the very near future, according to Cllr Barratt.