A MOBILE telephone mast operator has been told to remove its equipment or submit a formal planning application.

Wirral Borough Council has told Hutchinson 3G that the mast it erected at 70-72 New Chester Road is not a permitted development and has to come down or go through planning procedures.

The Globe reported in July that more than 550 outraged residents signed a petition after workmen moving in to erect the New Ferry mast without notifying local people.

At the time, the mast was thought to be a permitted development, which does not need planning permission if it is built on a building and is below a certain height. But now Wirral's director of planning has sent a letter to Ben Chapman MP, informing him of the council's action.

Mr Chapman says: "It is essential planning procedures are adhered to and residents made aware when consent is sought for mobile telephone masts. I shall be monitoring future developments to see that this happens and that the mobile telephone industry's 10 commitments to best practice are adhered to."

Hutchinson 3G wants to be the first company to give Britain a 'third generation' mobile phone service - a broadband wireless communication which allows people to send video, music and to surf the Internet via their mobile phones.

A spokesperson for the company has reassured local people that the mast's emissions are safe and that Hutchinson 3G works to stringent internationally agreed guidelines and global standards.