Maldon district councillors have thrown out plans by Orange to erect a telecommunications mast at Criers Wood, Great Braxted.
It was the company's third attempt, and this application had a simplified design with a slimline pole.
The company says that the installation is required to provide and improve mobile telephone coverage to Great Totham and Wickham Bishops.
But, at Monday's north-western planning sub-committee, members refused the scheme.
Cllr Rodney Bass said: "This is clearly better than the previous application but, unfortunately, it is not good enough. It is a special landscape area."
Cllr Julia Peel said: "Although they have reduced it in size, it isn't the right place to put it."
Great Braxted Parish Council had previously rejected the scheme, and a petition of 115 signatures against the application was presented to the council.
Residents were concerned that the mast would be obtrusive and would ruin an area of woodland.
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