A CONTROVERSIAL communications mast has been given planning permission - a year after it was ordered to come down.

The One2One mast in the grounds of Wharfedale Farmers Auction Mart, Leeds Road, Otley, first went up more than two years ago.

Almost a thousand leaflets calling for people to oppose the mast were sent out by councillor Nigel Francis (Con, Otley and Wharfedale), who lives at nearby Pearson's Buildings.

Coun Francis argued that the mast was taller than the 15 metres permitted and in October last year, Leeds City Council ordered One2One to pull it down.

But the communications company put in a fresh application - this time for a 15.4 metre high mast and last week planners gave it their consent.

At Leeds City Council's development control panel west, councillors were told although the mast was slightly higher than already approved, it would make little difference.

It was also pointed out that government guidance suggested that there was no threat to public health.

Coun Francis said: "I'm very disappointed, from what I can understand the application was just rubber-stamped.

"I still believe it is too high, if you take into account the mast head, where all the antennae is attached to, the mast is actually more than 17 metres high. I think it's just one of these things that no one can be bothered."

Coun Francis, who at one point threatened to go to jail rather than see the mast go up, added he still believed emissions from such masts posed a health risk to nearby properties.

"I was actually very disappointed by the response from the public, I sent out almost 1,000 leaflets and got virtually no support apart from maybe half a dozen people.

"The main issue was the risk to public health, and the council just doesn't take that into account. I think we will see the long term effects of these masts in 15 or 20 years time."

Planning permission has also been given to Hutchinson 3G UK Ltd to put up a 12 metre high mast at Weetwood Police Station.

Panel members said at the meeting on Tuesday last week that the Otley Road police station - away from houses - was an ideal place to site telecommunications masts.

The mast, which will be built on the station roof, will include three antennae and three dishes.

Other applications given planning permission at the panel meeting were: Detached triple garage to side of outbuilding at Daisy Hill, Cliffe Drive, Rawdon, for Mr and Mrs D Webster;

Replacement porch to the front of 32 Regent Road, Horsforth, for Mr and Mrs Burns;

First floor side and rear extension and porch to front of Micklefield Croft, Micklefield Road, Rawdon, for Mr and Mrs Foster;

Conservatory to the rear, single storey extension with balcony and a double detached garage to the front of 8 Henley Close, Horsforth, for Mr R Sykes;

First floor rear extension to Wyndley, Ings Avenue, Guiseley, for Jonathan Craig;

First floor extension and conservatory to rear of Mon Desir, Ings Avenue, Guiseley, for Mr and Mrs Summers;

Single storey side and two storey rear extension to 13 Dale Close, Guiseley, for Mr and Mrs D J Glossop;

Two storey rear extension to 33 Parkland View, Yeadon, for Mr S Lee;

First floor side extension with dormer window to front of 21 Dales Way, for Mr and Mrs Jeffrey.