CHURCH leaders have rejected controversial plans to site a mobile phone mast in the spire of their building.

The Parochial Church Council (PPC) has rejected mobile phone giant Orange's plans for a telecommunications mast inside the spire at St Margaret's Parish Church in Horsforth. The decision follows concerns by residents in nearby Church Lane.

As reported last month, the PCC claimed that they had not given Orange permission to build a mast there and that the company had jumped the gun and shown a lack of respect.

The Rev Rosemary Hayes, who had called for Orange to withdraw the application, said that there had been a lot of anger.

"We feel that Orange have been rather previous," she said.

Mrs Hayes added that Orange had spoken to the church about having a mast sited there and that representatives had examined the tower, but that was as far as it went. The church had been approached by various companies to site masts in the spire.

"At the time, we hadn't decided whether this was something that we really wanted. On one hand we have a large Victorian building to maintain, so income would be welcome, but we also have to think of the community."

The PCC's decision has been welcomed by Horsforth MP Paul Truswell.

He said: "The PCC are obviously under enormous pressure to raise substantial sums to maintain the fabric of a huge Victorian building but have shown great Christian spirit to their neighbours first.

"I hope the community of Horsforth can find some way of returning the gesture and helping them in their challenge."

In his objection to the plan, the MP questioned the technical need for the mast and urged that residents' fears should be recognised.

"There has been a proliferation of applications in recent times. I am far from satisfied that operators in general are fully exploring the possibilities of mast sharing in this and other cases. I am also concerned that the technical case to justify their applications always appears to be accepted by the city council."

Mr Truswell found that in tests conducted by himself, there was nothing wrong with reception anywhere in the town.

He has also called for Orange to withdraw the plans and for Leeds City Council to take a more strategic and robust approach to mast applications.

An Orange spokesman said that two-thirds of its masts were shared and that there was no conclusive evidence of ill-effects on health.