Phone Mast Outrage

But Manor Cottage's owner John Maitland is worried its beauty could be marred by a 10m high mobile telephone mast just a few metres away, if telecoms company Orange gets its way with council planners.

"I am outraged. It beggars belief that a multi national corporation such as Orange seems to have an air or arrogance regarding public feelings," he said.

Orange has not submitted any planning application yet, but has approached both East Preston and Rustington Parish Councils for their views on the proposed structure, which falls within the parish boundary of Rustington, and both councils gave it the thumbs down.

In a letter to Orange, Rustington Parish Council said: "The proposed installation would represent an unneighbourly form of development, which would have a detrimental impact on the visual amenities, and also the quiet enjoyment of both the occupiers of neighbouring properties and, in particular, Manor Cottage and also East Preston's 12th century church."

Orange would like to build the mast on the south west corner of the island adjacent to the church a stone's throw from where it wished to site a mast last year.

John was one of many campaigners against last year's application by Orange to build a mast next to the church. It was thrown out by Arun planning bosses, because they said the mast would be prejudicial to the character of the East Preston and Rustington conservation area.

"The area is still a conservation area They think by moving the application a few metres, it will enable them to erect the mast," John added.

Conservation areas are set up to preserve oustanding examples of historic architecture, and planners are particularly strict with any building applications within these areas.

Orange spokesman Simon Davis explained: "What we want to do is take on board immediate reactions and balance it with better coverage for our customers living in the area.

"Orange has been using innovative designs such as lamp posts and telegraph poles for its telecommunications installations for the last five years.

"The aim is to ensure that our sites blend in with the surrounding environment where possible."