The council did not tell O2 of its decision fast enough

Leicester City Council failed to notify phone company O2 of its decision within the allotted 56 days.

Residents of Goodwood Road in Evington say the first they knew of the mistake was when equipment for the mast began to be installed.

The council has apologised for the "administrative error" and promised it will not happen again.

The city council can't just stand there and say 'Whoops, we made a mistake' Susan Kendall, resident

O2 said that because they had not heard from the council they assumed their application had been successful.

Susan Kendall, who lives opposite the mast site, said: "Nobody is going to buy these houses with a 15m high mast and a big black box in front of them."

"It was a complete shock because we had campaigned against the proposed mast and we had all our letters saying planning permission had been refused, so we thought we had won the case."

She added: "The city council can't just stand there and say 'Whoops, we made a mistake'.

"I could say 'Whoops, I forgot to pay my council tax'. They wouldn't accept that and I would end up court."

Ward councillor Tony O'Brien said: "I am calling for an injunction to halt the construction of this mast while there is an inquiry as to why it took so long to notify O2 about permission being refused."