FURIOUS residents say they were kept in the dark about plans to build a mobile phone mast beside their homes.

Householders were shocked to discover that One 2 One had received planning permission to put a 70ft mast on Southern Water land at Totton.

The tower will be just 40 metres from a row of houses at Nutsey Close. Sam Coster said residents were totally unaware of the scheme until workmen started building a new access road to the site.

Mr Coster has written to New Forest District Council and New Forest East MP Dr Julian Lewis. He said the proposed mast should be moved to another part of the site.

"Southern Water didn't have the decency to tell us about the application, even though two of us used to work for the company," said Mr Coster. "One 2 One didn't get in touch either.

Mr Coster said he and his neighbours were "frantic with worry" about the impact of the mast.

He said: "We're obviously concerned about our health and the very real possibility that the equipment will devalue our homes.

One 2 One official Jane Kerr said it would have the district council's responsibility to notify neighbours about the application.

A council spokesman said: "We complied with our obligation to display a planning notice on or near the site.