SDLP assembly member Tommy Gallagher warned that residents would strongly oppose the replacement of a 12-metre Vodafone mast in Brookeborough with another which would be 24 metres in height.

    Meanwhile Sinn Fein assembly member Gerry McHugh slammed telecommunications company Orange for putting up a mast at Enniskillen’s Sligo Road “by stealth”.

    Mr Gallagher warned that as deputy chairman of the Assembly Health Committee he would be raising the “outrageous proposal” to double the height of the Brookeborough mast with his colleagues later this week.

    He said: “As well as completely dominating the area the mast will be near to both local primary schools and the Catholic Church.

    “It will also cause concern for users of many other community facilities in the neighbourhood.”

    Mr Gallagher said the application would be subject to new legislation on the erection of phone masts passed by the Assembly earlier this year.

    “This means that the planners will have to notify houses in the immediate neighbourhood.

    “Given the close proximity of the mast to the schools then they should be part of the consultation process since this plan has very serious implications for any pupils present or future with hearing difficulties or other health problems.

    “Under the new regulations consultation should also include the department of Health and Social Services so that concerns about health risks are addressed,” Mr Gallagher said.

    The mast at the Sligo Road went up several nights ago despite the objections of local residents, according to Mr McHugh. However, Orange, the company responsible for the mast, said the only objection they had ever received was from resident Raymond Maguire, on the grounds that it could affect the workings of the cochlear implant that helps his son to hear.

    Mr McHugh said the mast should have been sited at least 500 metres from Mr Maguire’s house.

    He said workman had come on a number of occasions late at night for short periods to erect the mast in gradual stages.

    “They started to dig across the road at 11.30 at night with rock hammers. I suppose they were trying to get a connection to the power supply,” he said.

    He said he did not remember the case coming before the council to seek planning permission and he felt the late-night work was done by stealth.

    “It is very underhand that they have to resort to these methods. I would like to know for certain if it has gone through the whole rigours of the planning system,” he said.