HOMEOWNERS living in the shadow of a 60ft mobile phone mast which was erected two years ago after a council mix up, have rejected an offer of compensation.

The O2 mast, on the junction of Stoneyshotts and Honey Lane was allowed to stay up because bungling Epping Forest district council officials forgot to send in their written rejection in time for the 56-day limit.

Furious residents rallied round to demand that the council tear down the mast, but EFDC planning officers estimate that it could cost them £150,000 to remove the mast and pay O2 a compensation fee.

Instead, they’ve offered each one of the ten houses that complained in writing a paltry £250 and an apology.

But people living close to the mast have dismissed the payout as a joke.

John Spires lives across the road from the mast, which dominates his view.

He said: "The way they described it in the original plan, it was like a normal pole, but it isn't anything like that, It's a huge, ugly monstrosity and everyone hates it."

Neighbour and mum of two Christine Brooks dismissed the payout as "a joke"

She said: "We don't know if it's safe- the phone company are bound to say it is, but I've got two young children and it really does worry me.

"We put so much money and time into this house to make it perfect and now we feel like it's been wasted because someone at the council can't fill in a form on time.

"How can they compensate me for my family's health? What about the strain they've put on everyone in this street? It's a joke."

Resident Andrew Keehner added: "They've got this figure by looking at what other council's have had to pay out, but they've also made it really difficult for anyone to claim the compensation by narrowing the categories.

"It would cost them £150,000 to tear it down, but they're trying to get out of it by paying £2,500? They want us to go away quietly but we won't- we will fight them on this."

The fate of the mast is due to be decided at a council meeting next Tuesday (July 28).