Thorpe Bay residents have launched a campaign to get a phone mast that was put in the middle of a residential area two weeks ago removed.

Thorpe Residents' Group is urging everyone to write to Southend Council to complain about a mobile phone base station placed on the roof of 198 The Broadway, Thorpe Bay, by Hutchison 3G.

Because the equipment is just under 15 metres tall, Hutchison 3G doesn't need any permission from the council, but the residents' group feels there should have been a planning application.

Chairman Derrick Weaver, of the Broadway, said: "We were told by the council it's something called permitted development, which gives them the ability to put up masts without having to make an application to the council. We don't appreciate that.

"If they succeed here, they can put masts everywhere without having to apply for permission."

A Southend Council spokesman said that because the equipment is less than 15 metres tall and because it was situated on a building it fell under permitted development, which does not require planning permission.

Mr Weaver has written to Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott for clarification of the legislation.