Residents in Putney Hill are upset about plans for two mobile phone networks to install more mobile phone masts on the roof of a nearby residential building.

Hedley Court in Putney Hill already has one mast installed on the roof which covers the Orange network, and O2 and Vodafone networks requested permission on November 4 to install six further mobile phone antenna and three base stations at the same location.

Neighbours are concerned about the potential health effects the masts may have, particularly because it is so close to Prospect House School.

They are also concerned the masts will be an eyesore in a designated conservation area.

Catherine Simmons said: “We believe that such a large concentration of mobile phone equipment on one roof is not in any way in the best interests of the local community, especially as Hedley Court sits so close to a school.

“I feel that the only people to gain from this proposed installation are the freeholders and the mobile phone companies, I can not see how these plans are to the benefit of the local community.”

Planning permission for such a proposal is not needed, but they have to submit a notification of installation to Wandsworth Council, in which they have to give at least one month’s notice.

A spokesman for Vodafone UK said: “ We recognise that some communities are concerned regarding the deployment of radio base stations close to residential areas but without radio base stations, mobile phones will not be able to work.

“We have identified that we need to improve the 3G coverage to our customers in Putney and have proposed a new shared base station on the roof of Hedley Court.

“We have undertaken consultation with the ward councillors, local residents, the local school and the local planning authority and we received some feedback which we have responded to.”

Residents can make their views heard at the council's planning website at planning.wandsworth.gov.uk using application number 2010/4815.