HEALTH fears have prompted almost 100 people to sign a petition against a 50-foot phone mast.

Residents of Strathmore Drive, Ben Rhydding, were horrified to learn of plans to build the structure on Railtrack land at the end of their gardens.

But mobile phone company Orange told the Gazette their fears were ungrounded and said that the mast had to be located close to the proposed site to clear up a reception blackspot.

Paul Newsholme, whose home is nearest to the planned mast, said: "It will overshadow my property, twice the size of a telegraph pole, 20 feet in front of my patio door."

His neighbour, Keith Hart, added: "It's three times as high as the trees and metal stanchions on the railway embankment. It looks horrendous on the plans."

He, and fellow protester Jack Ackroyd, of Bolling Road, also have health worries. "There have been articles in the national press this week about the potential health hazards of these masts when they're close to residences."

The three men are collecting signatures for a petition opposing the plan from householders in Strathmore Road, Craigmore Drive, Cardan Drive and Bolling Road. Three A4 sheets of names were handed in at the Ilkley planning office this week and the petition is still being circulated.

An error in displaying the notice advertising the plan has intensified their anger.A sign giving the details was first put up on the southern side of the railway track - when the affected properties are on the northern side -- in December.

The planning department was notified of Orange's plan at that time and had anticipated opposition, but heard nothing.

On investigation, the error was discovered and now it is unclear how long residents have to register their comments.

A planning spokesman told the Gazette: "We're assuming the 21 days for objection will be counted from the date the notice was moved to its new position."

The mast does not require planning permission as it does not exceed 15 metres. However, the matter has been brought to the attention of Bradford Council's planning committee chairman, Coun John Cope.

Ilkley district councillor Anne Hawkesworth said she had registered a written objection.

She said: "It's going to have an oppressive, overpowering effect on Mr Newsholme's property. I'm hoping that Orange will appreciate the residents' points of view and that we can reach a negotiated outcome which is satisfactory to everyone. We might not have the power to force them to change the plan, but it's a human rights issue."

A spokesman for Orange said: "This is our preferred option. It can go to a planning committee and if they say 'no' we'll look at it again."

However, he added that the mast would be ineffective if moved more than 100 metres from the proposed site.

He described it as 'lamppost column' in design and said it was not the lattice-type structure people often associate with phone masts.

He added: "There is no conclusive evidence that makes a link between exposure to radio waves, transmitter masts and long-term public health risks.

"Orange has always operated, and will continue to operate, within the stringent national standards set for radio networks by the National Radiological Protection Board, an independent UK agency that advises Government and the public on relevant safety issues and sets the safety level of radio emissions for all users of the radio spectrum."

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