RESIDENTS are angry after receiving notice of development of a telephone mast, weeks after being told it had been refused by planning chiefs.

Three Warrington Road neighbours were horrified by a planning application to place telecommunications equipment -- consisting of a 15 metre high monopole -- in the grounds of the Jarvis Greyhound Hotel close to their homes.

Given 24 days to object, retired fitter Roy Grundy complained to Wigan Council that the mast would lower the value of his house, could affect people's health and suggested the mast be placed on an industrial estate.

Objectors were relieved when planning chiefs refused the application saying it would be "detrimental to the visual amenity of neighbouring residents."

But eight weeks later residents received notification of development of a 15 metre high mast at the Hotel. They were told the notification was not a planning application, local planners could only control the equipment's siting and appearance and that this time they had just 14 days to submit comments.

Roy, aged 68, said: "It's exactly the same equipment that they want to put up as last time. I've been to see both sets of plans and they are the same. Why is this not a planning application and why do we have less time to object this time? I thought planning permission had been rejected.

"Why can't they put the mast on an industrial estate? I wouldn't object then. There are so many alternative places where the mast could go. Here we are surrounded by fields, it's a prairie, the mast should not be here."

Neighbour Jay Lowe said: "Warrington Road is one of the main routes into Leigh. When people come into town they will be greeted by an ugly mast -- it will be an eyesore. Nobody knows what effect these masts can have on our health."

A Wigan Council spokesman said the current notification of development differs from the first planning application because this time the mast would be tucked behind the hotel. Initially the mast would have gone on the Warrington Road frontage.

He said: "It is subject to exactly the same process as the last application. Residents objections should carry the same weight this time too. Permission has not been passed, in fact planning inspectors have not even had time to conduct a site visit.

"Because the mast would be under 15 metres it is subject to different criteria.

"I can understand why the residents are confused, the law is confusing."

The Jarvis Greyhound Hotel declined to comment.