A council blunder has left a neighbourhood lumbered with a mobile phone mast built without planning controls.

Planning officers were going to object to phone operator 02 building a 30ft mast in Carden Avenue, near the junction with Dale Drive in Hollingbury, Brighton, but sent their letter a day too late.

The mast is a few hundred feet from Patcham Junior School and Patcham High School in Warmdene Road.

Because Brighton and Hove City Council's letter did not arrive in time, the firm automatically gained permission to build the mast, which it put up at 6am last Friday.

Planning laws allow local authorities 56 days within which to refuse permission for mobile phone masts.

If permission is not ruled out within that time, the company submitting the application wins automatic approval.

Councillor Brian Pigeon said heads should roll for the mix up.

He said: "The council was going to object to the siting of the mast because there are already two on Carden Avenue. We would have said three was too many.

"Because of the mix-up in the planning office, 02 has a legal right to have its mast there. We didn't have a chance to object.

"I have had a lot of calls from angry residents asking what's going on.

"It is an absolute disgrace and whoever is responsible should fall on his sword."

Robert and Eva Barclay, of Dale Crescent, both aged 72, see the mast every time they go into their kitchen as it was built outside their home.

Mr Barclay said: "I saw it being put up and I couldn't believe it. Every time I look out of the kitchen window it is there - and it's not very attractive at all."

He was worried having three mobile phone masts within 150 yards of his house could affect the value of the property and neighbours had expressed the same concern.

Councillor Leslie Hamilton, chairman of the planning committee, said the mistake happened because the officer had not realised applications for phone masts were treated differently to those for buildings, with less time for objections to be lodged.

He said: "It is extremely regrettable and it should not have happened."