The residents of Bear Flat have twice prevented work on the mast starting by blocking access to the site.

Bath and North East Somerset Council had refused permission for the mast. But phone company O2 appealed and it was given the go-ahead.

The residents have now discovered a covenant stopping high structures.

'Totally inappropriate'

It says any buildings over 12ft are not allowed on the land planned for the mast.

The structure would be almost three times that height.

Lawyers are now studying the order before making a final decision.

Councillor Marian McNeir said: "We have worked with local residents for months on this.

"It's totally inappropriate to have a mast that is 12.5 metres tall in an area of such housing density."