Up in Whiteshill, Stroud, the National Trust have a wood they maintain. Buried in the trees is a slender latticework phonemast painted brown and you hardly notice it below the line of the trees. Not a hundred yards away is an electricity substation. They have no responsibility or comeback on whatever they do within the confines of this miniscule plot. But sticking up from it is a phonemast that pays no lips service to sensibilities. I ain't painted any colour and consequentially you can see it from a long way off.

But it is on top of a hill and not near houses. And that wasn't for any sensibilities to residents.

The annoying thing is they can buy phonemasts that are made to look like trees - not 100% but at least a good attempt. And they make them in Quedgely not 100 yards from the border with Stroud.

Fight for that option if it looks like you might loose. The arrogant phone companies don't offer - you have to bludgeon them. Get the local/parish council to be aware. Whatever the companies say - the cost is nothing compared to their profits.