A mobile telecommunications company will not consider an alternative site for a controversial mast in Brighouse, a public inquiry heard.

The inquiry was told yesterday by anti-mast campaigners that other sites in the Brighouse area were being considered for an Orange mobile phone mast because of the controversy surrounding its mast at the junction of Huddersfield Road and Armitage Avenue.

But giving evidence to the hearing, Orange technical engineer Brian Swetnan said that was news to him.

The inquiry at Halifax Town Hall is being held to consider Orange's appeal against a Calderdale Council enforcement notice against the 11.5 metre high microcell post and equipment cabinet which the Council says was installed without planning permission.

Orange's appeal is based on its argument that the Council had failed to object within a 42-day designated period which gave it planning permission by default.

But when asked by Calderdale Council solicitor Martin Blythe about proposals for another site, Brian Swetnan, a technical engineer for Orange, said: "It would appear that somebody's got a different end of the stick.

"At no point have I known or proposed or discussed that there was no requirement for the appeal site if we got some other alternative site."

He added that the site was the most appropriate location for improving Orange's mobile coverage now and in the future.

The inquiry had earlier heard from Calder Valley Labour MP Chris McCafferty, who spoke on behalf of campaigning residents. She said an alternative site further up Huddersfield Road, near the M62, had been found.

"Engineers found the site away from the residential area, adjacent to the motorway, which is grazed upon," she said.

"The reason a proper site survey was not carried out is because of foot and mouth restrictions.

"I am confident that there will be an outcome that will satisfy everybody.

"From the outset, local residents were extremely concerned about proposals made by Orange to site the new mast near to their homes, a short distance from the local school."

The inquiry also heard evidence from Alan Mitchell, a chartered town planning consultant, who admitted the mast could have been a better colour and better integrated into the surrounding area.

The application attracted 152 letters of objection, despite the fact the mast has never been operative

A decision on the inquiry is expected within six weeks.