A councillor is calling on Southern Water to say no to mobile phone masts being built on its land while there are doubts about health risks.

Brighton and Hove city councillor, Jeane Lepper, has made the plea as part of a campaign to oppose a planning application for a 12.5 metre high mast on the Lewes Road Reservoir, near Saunders Park.

But Southern Water say it is not their decision to make.

Coun Lepper said: "It would be hard to find a more inappropriate site for a phone mast. The Southern Water land is close to the Saunders Park housing estate, where many families with young families with young children live, to houses in Freehold Terrace, Popes Folly, Popes Court and the busy Hollingdean Road.

"There are also allotments and a well used children's playground nearby.

"The Stewart Report to the government a couple of years ago urged local planning committees to stay on the side of caution when considering applications, particularly on land close to schools or where there are lots of children. I am glad that recently Brighton and Hove Council's Planning Applications Sub-committee have taken a cautious approach.

"I am asking them to reject this application. I have already had calls from a number of residents living in the area who are concerned.

"If they were really good neighbours Southern Water would refuse landlords permission for the mast. Southern Water makes much of their community involvement. Now let's see it in action.

"What is also really needed is tougher powers for local councils to deal with proliferation of applications for masts. That would force the mobile phone companies to get together and share masts away from residential areas."

The city council recently rejected a series of proposals for mobile phone masts, citing health reasons as the reason for their decision. Despite this., planning officers fear the phone companies will win on appeal because a clear link between masts and ill health has not been proved.

A spokeswoman for Southern Water said: "It is a matter for the planning authority, Brighton and Hove City Council, to decide whether it is an appropriate development at the location.

"The pole would not affect the company's operations on the site and although it is not our application we will abide by the decision of the planning authority."

The application has been submitted by Hutchinson 3G to the city council and is due to be discussed at a meeting in September.