VIEWS from a coastal beauty spot could be spoilt by a mobile phone mast due to mixed signals from planners.

Clevedon homeowner Peter Davis threatened to lie in front of diggers installing the mast, which he claims doesn't have planning permission.

Mr Davis, 49, of Ladye Bay, confronted workmen he spotted digging a hole in a field less than 100 metres from his home on Monday and was shocked to discover Vodafone's plans to install a radio base station to improve 3G coverage for customers in the area.

Two years ago planning applications for the mast, along with two antennas, one microwave dish and radio equipment, were turned down by North Somerset Council because of environmental and conservation concerns, but Vodafone is insisting it now has deemed permission because of a planning blunder.

Mr Davis said: "We objected to the plans in the past which were refused but none of the residents have been consulted about a third application at all.

"There is no way they can put up a microwave mast so close to people's houses."

Mr Davis and his wife Zara bought their home 13 years ago and said its stunning views and location make it a place in which they want to retire.

Now they fear the mast will not only be an eyesore but will drive house prices down and, more importantly, could be a health risk to themselves and others.

The field is owned by the Miles Estate, which rents out part of its land.

Immediately next to the hole is a popular public footpath regularly used by ramblers walking from Clevedon to Portishead.

Since Monday, Mr Davis, who works from home as a management consultant, has been in touch with Vodafone, North Somerset Council and the press in a bid to make sure the mast does not go up.

It remains to be seen whether the mast will be installed, as North Somerset is in dispute with the phone giant.

A council spokesman said the authority couldn't comment because there were ongoing legal issues.

But Cllr John Norton-Sealey, the ward councillor for Ladye Bay said: "Work has stopped because we are fully in dispute with Vodafone regarding this mast.

"The district council refused it permission but they tried to use a loophole to say we didn't inform them of our refusal in time.

"We totally dispute this and I am working with our legal officers to resolve the situation."

Vodafone spokesman Dr Rob Matthews said: "This location was chosen after consideration of eight alternatives as it would not be visually intrusive.

"We have worked with the local planning authority (LPA) following the refusal of a planning application nearby to ensure the design minimises the impact of the base station.

"As part of our pre-application consultation we wrote to the LPA, the town council and ward councillors. The town council phoned us with an offer of a site but did not respond to several letters seeking clarification of the site's whereabouts and therefore we progressed with the current option.

"We do have planning permission as the local authority did not deliver us a valid decision notice within the 56-day time period set out within planning legislation.

"Accordingly, we intend to proceed as we feel this is the best site to provide our customers with improved coverage."