PLANS to replace a phone mast have led to residents raising concerns about the possible impact on their health.

Telefonica, which owns O2, has submitted an application to remove a 23-metre mast in Eynsham and replace it with a 20-metre one, together with associated antennas, radio equipment cabinets and ancillary development works.

Documents say this will provide improved Vodafone and new Telefonica services to the area, and could eventually lead to 5G services.

However, locals have made their voices heard by objecting to the proposals in Witney Road.

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Ian Jackman said: “It is not right that this should be anywhere near residential homes, it should be sited out in fields and open spaces. We have a continuous humming all day and all night.”

According to the proposals, the existing tower is now ‘outdated’ and cannot be upgraded to allow the base station to provide 4G and 5G services for Telefonica and Vodafone.

The base station currently only provides 2G and 3G Vodafone services.

The proposals also say that upgrading the mast would allow it to be ready for future upgrade to 5G without further major amendment when required.

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Base stations use radio signals to connect mobile devices and phones to the network, allowing people to send and receive calls, texts and emails. Without base stations, mobiles do not work.

Each station covers a certain area and can only handle a limited number of calls at once.

With mobile phones becoming increasingly used, the proposal suggests more base stations are required to ensure continuous coverage.

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Eynsham Parish Council reported no objections to the application, subject to assurance being provided that radiation output limits specific to the locality are complied with.

However, residents have raised a series of concerns, including the ‘risks’ posed to health, radiation and the mast’s proximity to the playing field at Bartholomew School.

Upon publication, the application had received 13 objection comments.

To view the planning application, use the reference 20/03105/FUL on the West Oxfordshire District Council website.