A PHONE mast could be built within 400 metres of a Muswell Hill school and scores of homes. Plans have been submitted to put a base station and six 1.1m antennas on the top of 77 Muswell Hill. It would be directly opposite Muswell Hill primary and the L

A PHONE mast could be built within 400 metres of a Muswell Hill school and scores of homes.

Plans have been submitted to put a base station and six 1.1m antennas on the top of 77 Muswell Hill.

It would be directly opposite Muswell Hill primary and the London Centre for children with cerebral palsy.

Several objections have already been sent in to Haringey Council about the plans to improve signal for O2 and Vodafone customers in the area.

Fears have been raised over the visual impact of the station and the impact on people's health.

The school's chairwoman of governors Sarah Gray, whose nine-year-old son is a pupil there, is objecting strongly to the plans.

"My personal belief is that while there is any possible risk about the safety of the base stations it would be irresponsible for us not to object to the planning application," she said.

"I will personally be fighting it quite hard and I am sure there are other governors who feel the same way."

Plans show that O2 had considered several alternative locations, including the top of Alexandra Palace.

Muswell Hill councillor Jonathan Bloch has already registered his objections.

He said: "It is foolhardy to set a phone mast right opposite a primary school. I am sure there are better places in the borough."

Muswell Hill and Fortis Green Association planning officer Pat Bloomfield believes the group will also lodge an objection.

But O2 communications manager James Stevenson said: "We are putting it where it would be better for our customers to give them better access to our services and networks.

"All the scientific evidence we have got and which has been done over the past few years has found there are no adverse effects from phone masts.