A PETITION has been sent to a district council protesting about plans for a mobile phone mast.

The residents of Knotty Green are concerned that the mast could have health implications for the village.

Orange PCS Ltd is considering applying to Chiltern District Council for planning consent to put the 10 metre mast on allotment land off Forty Green Road in Knotty Green.

Victoria Sinclair, of Forty Green Road said: "We took a petition round and we got over 100 signatures against this mast.

"Penn Parish Council is not being representative of its parishioners at all.

"We are scared abouthealth hazards of mobile phone masts and we feel we are being used as guinea pigs.

"If they allow one mast to be put up, how many more could follow?"

Pat Smee, of Forty Green Road, claims the parish council is acting illegally in agreeing to put up the mast on the allotment land.

This is a claim that Miles Green, clerk of Penn Parish Council, denies.

He said: "It is not common land. The law allows the parish council to deal with the land as it feels appropriate."

He explained that Penn Parish Council had organised a well-attended public meeting to establish facts.

He added: "We have written to 300 local residents asking their views.

"We will be making our decision based on their responses."

A spokesman for Orange said: "Orange acknowledges public concern regarding the siting of transmitters, however there is no conclusive evidence that makes a link between exposure to transmitter masts and long-term public health risks."