RESIDENTS campaigning against plans for mobile phone masts on their block of flats say they are “disgusted” at Lewisham Council’s decision to grant the application.

Councillors approved proposals from T-Mobile to install three additional masts and a transmission dish on the roof of Dartmouth Court, in Dartmouth Grove, Blackheath, at a planning committee meeting on August 7.

The council gave the go-ahead to the plans despite 120 letters from residents with fears about health risks, the visual impact and the impact on property prices.

Dartmouth Court Residents’ Association says T-Mobile already has a mast on their roof and the only person to benefit from the proposals would be the freeholder whose interest is purely financial.

Dartmouth Court Residents’ Association chairman Philip Bartlem said: “I’m pretty disgusted by the council’s decision.” Gareth Scarlett, 34, who also lives in Dartmouth Court, said: “New antennas means extra income for the freeholder.

“That makes it more expensive for us residents to buy the freehold.” John Bunker, who owns the freehold of the flats, said: “Anything that’s put up there is put up there under the auspices of the Health and Safety Executive.” The council granted planning permission on the grounds the installation would not have a significant effect on the appearance of Dartmouth Court and work will not be carried out until an approved sound insulation scheme has been adopted.

A T-Mobile spokesman said: “We’ve had the mast since 1992 and all we’re doing is upgrading it to increase capacity and meet the demands of customers.” Meanwhile, Ladywell residents say they cannot afford to appeal to the High Court over Hutchison 3G’s plans to erect antennae on Ladywell Water Tower, in Dressington Avenue.

Lewisham’s planning committee had failed to make a decision on the application within the required eight-week period. This allowed Hutchison 3G to appeal to the Secretary of State. A Government-appointed inspector then overruled Lewisham Council’s belated refusal of the application.

Residents Against the Mast (Ram) will now challenge an application for a second mast on the tower by Vodafone.