Residents were horrified to learn a 20-metre-tall 5G phone mast might be erected just metres from their homes.

Planning application documents for a towering telecommunications mast in Priory Crescent were submitted to Southend Council by CK Hutchison Networks on August 2.

The plans would see a new 20 metre high ‘slim line’ Streetpole – standing six metres taller than the surrounding trees – built along with three equipment cabinets to provide 5G connection for Three network users in the area.

Priority Crescent resident Karen Baldock said: “We are so worried about these plans. We have formed a residents’ group with others in the area because we are so stressed out by it, it’s awful.

“The other masts they are putting up are well away from houses but this one is close to are our homes. Many of us are working from home or have kids at home much of the day and this mast would be on our doorstep.”

A date has yet to be set for the application to go before the council’s planning committee and residents can submit their feedback on the council’s website.

A petition opposing the mast, organised by Priory Crescent residents, has already amassed more than 100 signatures in just a few days.

Claire Parish who set up the Change.org page said: “The mast will not only dominate the skyline of the whole road and surrounding areas which is not in keeping with the area’s history.

“The mast will have a direct impact on the natural beauty of the park for both residents but the general public too. We feel there are several other suitable sites away from such a busy, well used and loved local area.”

In planning documents, Three claims high-speed 5G mobile connectivity has become “the lifeblood of community” during the Covid-19 pandemic.

The documents state: “The very nature of installing new 5G mast infrastructure within such an urban setting requires a highly considered balance between the need to extend practical coverage reach with that of increasing risk of visual amenity intrusion.

“In this location, existing mast sites are not capable of supporting additional equipment compliment to extend coverage reach across the target area.

“There is an acute need for a new base station to provide effective service coverage and in this case, the height of the proposed street pole is the minimum required to bring the benefits of 5G to this area.”