RESIDENTS of a picturesque village are fuming over plans for a 5G mast that they say is an “insult to the King”.

Locals in Burstall, near Ipswich, had wanted to erect a coronation bench and tree on a grass verge but now a new 15-metre EE mast has been given approval in the spot.

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And even His Majesty had been in support of the bench – with Buckingham Palace having written the village a letter of thanks.

However, an application made by EE has now been approved by Babergh District Council in July.

Now members of Burstall Parish Council have told how they have been left “annoyed, upset, and disappointed”, reports East Anglian Daily Times.

They believe the plans are an “insult to His Majesty Charles III”.

Susan Frankis, clerk to Burstall Parish Council, said: “The village commemorated the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in 1953 by dedicating a piece of land and planting a tree on what villagers call coronation corner, in the heart of Burstall.

“Carrying on the tradition, we wanted to do something to mark the coronation of the King. It was thought a handmade oak bench, with a carving commemorating the coronation, would be lovely.

“We also have a sizable oak tree that we had arranged for the Suffolk Lord Lieutenant to plant for us, but we have had to cancel the planting and village event because EE will not change their minds about choosing another site for the mast.”

The bench, engraved with “King Charles III Coronation 2023”,  is currently being kept in the parish council chairman’s garden.

It was funded by county councillor Christopher Hudson.

Mrs Frankis added: “We are upset because it is disrespectful to the King. We wrote to the Palace and told them what we were doing, and we had a lovely letter back saying thank you for marking the occasion, the coronation.

“It said that this kind of thing is right up the King’s street, with the environment, so it ticks all the boxes for the King’s aspirations for the countryside going forward.”

Mr Hudson added that the plans were an “insult to His Majesty Charles III”.

The Sun has contacted Babergh District Council for comment.