AN APPLICATION to instal a mobile phone mast at Horrabridge looks likely to fail.

One-2-one is seeking permission to build a 15-metre monopole mast at the site of the West Wheal Robert mine, owned by farmer Albert White.

Opponents say it would be an eyesore and is not needed anyway, as reception in the area is already adequate.

Dartmoor National Park Authority's chief planning officer Graham Wall said this week: 'the policy is that masts should either be well hidden or be of the tree-mast design. This does not appear to be either. I can't pre-judge the outcome, but I imagine we shall be recommending refusal.'

The Dartmoor Preservation Association and the Dartmoor Society as well as Horrabridge Parish Council have lodged objections and protesters in the village are canvassing support.

The association's chief executive John Bainbridge said that Vodafone, Cellnet and Orange all had good reception in the area and if One-2-One did not it should be required to share a mast.

'We cannot have four masts springing up close together all over the country.

'Other authorities insist on the operators sharing masts and the DNPA should do the same.

David Cloke of the parish council said it objected because the plans did not show the mast where it was intended to be.

He said the majority of people in the village seemed to be against it — some believing it was a health hazard, others that it threatened the archaeological heritage.

As well as that he said they felt it was unnecessary and damaging to the environment.

The DNPA has looked at each application for a new mast on its merits. Tree-like masts have had mixed results.

The controversial one at Moretonhampstead was described by supporters as resembling a Scots pine but some have called it a lavatory brush.

However, some tree-masts are said to have been successfully hidden among real trees and still improved reception.

For farmers facing shrinking incomes, there is a big incentive to accept the phone companies' offers. Some are said to get as much as £3,000 a year for hosting a mast.

One-2-One argues that the Horrabridge site is suitable and the mast would be well shielded.

The matter will go before the DNPA on November 3.