Fresh plans to build a controversial telephone mast have sparked fears a picturesque village could be blighted by a 25-metre “monstrosity”.

Proposals to erect the aerial in the South East Water compound off Canterbury Road in Herne were first revealed in the summer.

Phone companies EE and 3 wanted to relocate the 3G mast from its current position on top of St Martin’s Church.

The firms have since revised the scheme after receiving a groundswell of opposition from angry villagers.

But Herne and Broomfield Parish councillor Carol Davis says the new drawings show the mast will be a blot on the landscape.

“It’s a monstrosity,” she said. “The parish council is opposing it for all the same reasons as before, plus the fact it’s more bulky.

“We know and appreciate that people want to have good signal – and nobody has an objection to it being on top of the church – but this is going to stick out like a sore thumb.

“It’ll be in front of the homes in Curtis Wood Park. It’s going to be way above the trees - it’ll be much taller than a lamppost.”

The parish council says the new plans also include the erection of a 1.8m fence topped with barbed wire around the mast.

If approved, the proposals will see St Martin’s Church’s £9,000-a-year contract to house the aerial until 2031 come to an end.

Among the objectors is Curtis Wood Park Road resident Tracy Miles, who is calling on the telephone companies to find an alternative site for the mast.

The 52-year-old said: "We would definitely see it from our house and for those coming into our historic village, it'll be the first thing they'll see. It's an unsightly thing.

"It's just the wrong place for it to be put. I think they need to put it in a better site - either stick with the church or put it on higher ground."

Speaking on behalf of EE and 3, Mobile Broadband Network Limited planning manager Will Osborne says the mast has to be moved to the site off the A291 in order to provide 4G and 5G coverage to the area.

He also insists much of the aesthetic impact of the antenna will be limited by screening from the neighbouring trees.

“The additional antenna and equipment cabinets require a more substantial installation, which could not be accommodated on the current site within the spire of the church,” he added.

“The proposed installation forms part of the wider 5G programme and the intention is to provide the best customer experience for all of those that use EE and Three.

“EE will soon be taking over as the emergency services' network and the intention is to provide residents and visitors to Herne Bay, along with the emergency services, the best network connectivity."

Mr Osborne expects a planning application to be submitted to Canterbury City Council shortly.

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