PROTESTS over the construction of six 45ft phone masts in Poynton has prompted developers to meet their adversaries.

Angry residents of Vicarage Lane in Poynton have been campaigning for months against the mobile phone antennae which are planned to loom just yards from their homes.

On Friday at 5.30pm the two parties will meet to iron out their differences at a public meeting at Poynton Parish Hall.

Developers for mobile-phone giants T-Mobile wrote to residents in May informing them of their plans to locate the masts on the roof of the BT sub-station, on the corner of Vicarage Lane and London Road North.

Householders are fuming because the company say the masts must go at the edge of the roof to get proper coverage.

Residents claim the unsightly poles will loom over their gardens and cause a serious loss of amenity.

They have also voiced fears over potential health issues, although there is no firm scientific evidence that the masts carry a risk.

Vicarage Lane residents led by spokesman David Walker have since led a protest against the proposals, including a 100-strong petition.

It has been presented to the Parish Council, and copies sent to Macclesfield Borough Council, the mayor, developers Crown Castle UK and MP Sir Nicholas Winterton.

Mr Walker said: "The six masts are going on the roof of the sub-station and will be positioned right at the edge so that they will affect a lot of houses quite seriously.

"We have protested many times, but the company have just ignored us and said that the aerials have to be so close to the roof's edge because it's necessary for them to get proper coverage.

"They don't need planning permission because the masts are just 45ft tall and don't require it.

"The parish council have been wonderful and Sir Nicholas Winterton has even pledged his support, but says there is nothing he can do to stop it," Mr Walker said.

Developers Crown Castle UK have also enraged residents by giving them just one week's notice of the date of the meeting, after months spent wrangling over a date.

Mr Walker said: "The company have sprung this on us at very short notice.

"It is typical of their behaviour, through six months of correspondence they have been very obstructive."

The meeting, to be chaired by parish councillor Graham Mitchell will be held in Poynton Parish Hall.

At the time of writing Crown Castle were unavailable for comment.