Plans for a new 20-metre-high telecommunications tower with 5G technology have been met with objections.

The proposals, put forward on behalf of Icon Tower Infrastructure Ltd, were submitted to the South Downs National Park Authority last month.

If approved, the new mast would be built on green land west of Westmeston Avenue in Saltdean.

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According to the plans, the new tower would improve network coverage in Rottingdean, Saltdean and surrounding areas.

It would have an an antenna headframe and ground-based equipment cabinets all secured within a fenced compound.

Dalcour Maclaren, representing Icon Tower, said: "The proposed site is required to provide a shareable local solution which will assist with the delivery of network coverage, capacity, and connectivity to the surrounding area.

"By providing a sharable tower, mobile network operators will have the opportunity to install equipment on this new mast, thereby negating the need to upgrade their own infrastructure within the local area.

"The benefits to the operators are clear – they will share a future-proofed, robust structure capable of accommodating all necessary apparatus, for all existing technologies (i.e. 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G), plus capacity to add future technologies (i.e. 6G, 7G, etc), which will eventually replace the first generation technologies."

Icon Tower also submitted information from MobileUK which said that based on existing research, there are "no dangers" to health which have been identified from low-level radio signals used for mobile communications, including 5G.

Since the plans were made, dozens of objections have been raised.

Charlie Smith from Rottingdean said: "The potential placement of such a mast near areas where children are educated and horses are stabled raises significant concerns regarding the health, safety, and well-being of both these vulnerable groups."

Another resident Mark Richardson said: "This structure will be an eyesore and is out of place in this setting, bordering a national park.

"The area is of rural beauty, and very close to Brighton, meaning many people will be impacted and have their enjoyment of the countryside ruined.

"It is a haven for wildlife, and this structure will damage this. The site is in a horse field and is wholly out of character with the surrounding neighbourhood.

"There are many better places that could accommodate this giant structure. I completely oppose the building of this."

However, one resident argued that the new mast was needed in the area.

Saltdean resident John Richards said: "Mobile phone users in West Saltdean have had to put up with inadequate phone signal reliability from the current mast on Longridge Avenue for years and the lack of service for weeks on end.

"The topography of West Saltdean means that phone signal from other antenna which would usually cover an area do not provide signal when this mobile phone mast is out of service.

"The new mast would provide service on the many occasions that the existing mast would not and would benefit residents and traders in and around both Saltdean and Rottingdean and the surrounding area.

"It may not be the ideal location for its view, however it is away from houses, shops and schools which always seem to be the deciding factors when people object to similar applications."

A decision on whether to approve the plans is set to be made by June 4.