PROPOSALS to build a 25m mast to improve mobile phone coverage in North Dorset look set to be turned down.

The application from Vodafone Limited to install the structure with three antennae and two dishes in Milton Abbas goes before North Dorset District Council’s planning committee on Tuesday.

The plans for land at Steeptonbill Farm are recommended for refusal with a planning officer saying the mast would be detrimental to the character and appearance of the landscape in the Dorset Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

If approved, a report to committee says the mast would boost mobile internet coverage for Vodafone and possibly O2 users within its range providing 4G coverage where it is currently either without signal or sufficient to make calls only.

A previous application to install a lattice mast was rejected. Milton Abbas Parish Council back the scheme, as does the region's MP Simon Hoare who says home works are currently restricted.