Protesters were told their fears were "irrational" when the Orange inquiry resumed this week.

The comments, by town planner David Holmes, drew jeers on the first day of the resumed inquiry in St John's Rooms, in The Broadway, Winchester.

Mr Holmes, witness for the phone giants, said: "To base planning decisions on irrational grounds is distasteful and wrong.

"I would find a framework that moved from principles of rationale an alarming development and I would be profoundly uncomfortable with it."

He agreed objection to the mast, proposed for Byron Avenue, was "significant, but by no means unique" and said in six months' time no-one "would even notice" it was there.

"One, they're wrong to think it will harm them. Two, there will always be winners and losers in planning decisions," he said.

Planners rejected the application two years ago, saying perception of health risk was too great, other sites were unexplored and the mast would adversely affect the area. Now their case hinges on proving that objection was unprecedented.

Fiona Radford-Smith, of Action Against Byron Avenue Mast, said: "If all we're asking for is caution and responsibility, then I don't believe that's irrational or unfounded. I do believe Orange's attitude is patronising, dismissive and arrogant."

She found Mr Holmes's comments "blatantly insulting", adding: "Their attitude is dismissive and arrogant. They live in a different world. This is a sensitive site. A mast here would be a flagrant disregard for the precautionary approach."

She said she feared for her son, a pupil at nearby Western School and would consider removing him should the mast be erected.

The inquiry was due to finish today (Friday). But yesterday it had only heard from the final Orange witness and one AABAM witness. Three others were still to speak, as well as 20 residents and school governors and parents.