CAMPAIGNERS are claiming a cautious victory over their battle with a mobile phone company.

Almost two years ago, telecommunications company One2One put up a mast next to Otley's Wharfedale Farmers Auction Mart in Leeds Road.

But now the company has been told the mast is over the 15 metres high permitted in the planning consent and will have to come down.

Nearby residents, who held several protest meetings, had always argued the mast was too high after having it professionally measured.

Councillor Nigel Francis, whose home in Pearson's Buildings overlooks the mast, said he was delighted but would only celebrate once the mast had been demolished.

Coun Francis, who claimed the mast was sited too near to homes and could cause yet unknown health problems, said: "We've been told because the mast is over 15 metres high and that Leeds City Council will issue an enforcement notice asking for it to be removed."

Residents, who even met with a representative of One2One, used specialist measuring equipment to measure the mast.

They sent their evidence to the planning department at Leeds City Council in April last year and now 18 months later their efforts have been rewarded.

Coun Francis added: "It is good news, but I'll only really believe it when I see the mast coming down.

"It should never have gone up in the first place. I shall be writing to the council to point out again that it is in the wrong place within sight of the Chevin and too close to homes just in case they put in another planning application for another mast."

Mark Simpson, of Leeds Road, said: "I was at the original meeting of about 30 people. I'd just heard all these negative reports about these masts and how they could cause brain tumours and I just didn't like the thought of people being ridden rough-shod over."

Mr Simpson added he welcomed the council's decision to issue enforcement action but would be wary until the mast came down.

A spokeswoman for Leeds City Council said: "Telecom-munications masts under 15 metres in height do not require full planning permission, the council can only consider the detailed siting and appearance of such developments.

"The One2One mast as erected in the Wharfedale Farmers auction mart in Otley has been found to be over 15 metres tall and so requires full planning permission.

"The council is in the process of issuing an enforcement notice requiring that the mast be taken down. One2One will have an opportunity to appeal against this notice."

Jill Kerr, from One2One, said: "We will notify our estate department that this is coming our way. We will take everything Leeds City Council tells us into account and will look at the details when they arrive."

l A mobile phone company that had its plans for a phone mast in Horsforth rejected last month has applied again at the same site.

Orange Personal Commu-nications has submitted plans for a 15 metre mast, three antennae, four dishes and a detached equipment cabin at Yarnbury Rugby Club on Brownberrie Lane.

But Councillor Chris Townsley (Lib Dem, Horsfo-rth) condemned the move.

The site already houses a mast, and Coun Townsley said that a second on the site would be 'over intensive.'

He said: "The plans have been thrown out already and we will remain consistent.

"Our main aim is to protect the green belt area."