A mobile telephone mast is set to be erected within 500 metres of two primary schools - in spite of opposition from residents and the council.

The decision has left residents and Richmond Council up in arms after the inspector admitted the mast would be "alien" in its setting but granted permission.

In May last year the council refused an application from telecommunications firm T-Mobile to install an 18.65 metre tall tower with six antennae at Strawberry Hill Golf Club.

T-Mobile wanted to erect the mast in the south eastern corner of the club next to the railway line between Fulwell and Strawberry Hill stations but this would put it about 450 metres from St James's RC Primary School, on Stanley Road, and 320 metres from Stanley Infant School, on Strathmore Road, as well as Stanley Junior School which is close by.

The council said it turned down the proposal because its visual impact would be detrimental to the character and appearance of metropolitan open land, but the planning inspector has now overturned that decision.

In his report, inspector Jonathan Philip Roberts said that the size of the mast would damage openness, create an alien feature and be incongruous in an open, largely undeveloped and landscaped setting.

But he said it would have no effect on the Strawberry Hill Conservation Area and would not be intrusive to an extent that would harm amenity because of the distance it was away from homes.

"I have found the mast would cause harm both to the Metropolitan Open Land and the character and appearance of the area generally," the report continued. "However, that harm needs to be balanced against the need to provide the mast in the proposed location."

Mr Roberts said he accepted the concerns about damage to children's health were sincere but because the mast met guidelines for public exposure to radio waves it was not a factor in his decision and granted permission for the mast to be built.

A council spokesperson said: "We are naturally disappointed at the ruling to allow the appeal as the council's decision was based on sound planning grounds."

Mary Woodford, of Shaftesbury Way, said she was disappointed in the decision and that it would ruin the view from her house.

"I don't think a lot of local people know about it," she added.

Brian Donaldson, of Strawberry Hill Close, said he felt the report was fair and balanced but would have preferred the mast not to be built.

"It isn't a huge development but phone masts are controversial and I would have appreciated the opportunity to speak to the inspector," he said. "Radiation is a fear people have and I like to think I am a rational person but I wonder about it."