A POPULAR park and children's playground could be overshadowed by a 45ft telecommunications mast.

Menston residents are being urged to fight plans by BT Cellnet to build a 15 metre-high 'monopole' on Bingley Road, close to parkland, amid concerns over the potential health risk.

Menston-based Ilkley parish councillor, Audrey Brand fears long-term exposure to emissions from the mast could be harmful to youngsters who regularly play in the park.

Coun Brand said: "Kids go there to play, and particularly little children who are vulnerable to this sort of thing. We know it has not been proven to have a detrimental effect on people's health, but it's no good saying in later years that we wished we hadn't let it happen."

Ilkley Parish Council has a policy of opposing mast applications until there is conclusive proof they have no ill effects on the health of people living nearby - the planning committee has recommended that Bradford Council refuses the plan. Parish councillors claim the plan did not appear on any of the regular lists of planning applications supplied to them.

And they fear many Menston residents know little of the mast plan, as a notification sign put up next to the park has disappeared.

"What I was concerned about was that the notice they put up on lamp-posts for planning has been removed or blown away. It wasn't there, so people didn't know about this," said Coun Brand.

So far, five objections have been sent to Bradford Council.

Bradford Council planning officer Martyn Burke said plans for masts of 15 metres or less did not go through the usual planning process, but the council would consider objections from residents.

He said officers had discussed the most suitable sites in the village with the developer, and felt Bingley Road was among the best, as it was not close to houses.

Mr Burke said the one of the factors studied by planning officers was the visual impact. He said the officers followed Government guidelines on the safety of masts, and need for mobile phone communications.

BT Cellnet also requires consent for the mast from Bradford Council's highways department, as it will stand on a pavement.

Planning agent Robert Mayo, who is handling the plans on behalf of BT Cellnet, spoke at a meeting of Ilkley Parish Council's planning committee on Monday, to explain the plan.

He told parish councillors there was no evidence that telecommunications mast emissions could be harmful.

The plan is expected to be determined by Bradford Council officers acting under delegated powers.