RESIDENTS are hoping to cut off plans to site a telephone mast next to a health centre.

They are furious that Orange Personal Communications wants to build a mast and substantial cabin development in Broadgate Lane, Horsforth.

And they are also annoyed that although Orange was given a negative response from people about the plan, during pre-application consultations, it went ahead anyway.

Councillor Brian Cleasby, (Lib Dem, Horsforth) said Orange's plans to build a 15-metre high monopole plus ten equipment cabins had ignored residents concerns.

He said: "Orange came to us before putting the application in and we put the plans on show at our surgery and wrote telling people about it.

"The feeling from residents was that they certainly didn't want it because it was an absolute eyesore

"Orange then came back and said they were putting in the application anyway. It's an absolute nonsense."

Coun Cleasby added that the site, which already has a mast, was entirely inappropriate.

"Not only is it right next to a health centre but it will be right next to a sheltered housing development.

"There will be people in there 24 hours a day and its not as if elderly people are the kind of people who will be their customers."

He added: "It's not just a little box, this is a cabin complex."

He said people were also concerned about the possible health risks connected to low microwave emissions from phone masts.

"Although the planning department at Leeds can't turn an application down just on health grounds, it needs to be taken into account.

"Nothing has been done to prove that these masts are not harmful."

A spokesperson for Orange said the company's aim was to provide its customers with a high quality network.

And in order to increase the capacity of the network and to avoid potential network congestion, Orange needed to expand its network in Horsforth.

"We have carried out consultation with Horsforth Council and local councillors and have looked at other sites in the area.

"We select sites that meet our technical needs, our customers' coverage requirements and comply with planning and legal regulations."

Orange said it accepts that people have health fears about transmitters but points out here is no conclusive evidence linking the exposure to radio waves, and transmitter sites to long term public health risks.

"Orange will continue to operate within the stringent international standards set for radio networks by the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protection - an independent agency that advises governments and the public on relevant safety issues and recommends the safety level of radio emissions for all users of the radio spectrum.

"All new and existing Orange transmitter sites comply with the International Commission on Non-Ionising Radiation Protec-tion guidelines."

Orange says a typical transmitter site operates at levels many hundreds of times below national and international guidelines in areas where the public has access.

The company adds it takes very seriously any likely impact on the environment from its developments.

"Managing the growth of the Orange network carries with it a responsibility to sensitively manage the network's impact on the environment.

"This is a responsibility that we take very seriously.

"We work very closely with both local and national government and environmental agencies."

l A freephone Orange information line is available for people wanting answers about the expansion of Orange's network. Anyone who is interested can call (0800) 783 5021.