PEOPLE are understandably concerned about mobile telephone masts. Not only are they going up at an amazing rate, but they've not been around long enough for any potential health risks to be ironed out.

There have been too many cases in the past where something has allegedly been safe - asbestos for one - only for it to emerge as a killer several years down the line.

People living near to the mast currently going up off Leeds Road have read reports from experts claiming that the risks are real. While, on the other side of the fence, the communications companies say there's nothing to worry about, though they would say that anyway.

A public meeting has been called to discuss residents' fears and it is hoped someone from the communications company will be there. Hopefully, he will be able to convince residents. He'll have a difficult job, people are no longer happy to accept the words of authority. They've too much to lose.

VILLAGERS in Pool-in-Wharfedale have had more than enough reasons to feel hard done by in recent years. Seeing Leeds City Council's planning officers so easily destroyed by Redrow Homes' barristers at last year's public inquiry into plans to build 100 homes at Swallow Drive last year left a sour taste in the mouth.

So they can be forgiven for not expecting too much at Bryant Homes' appeal, which will see the council again resist the developer's application.

Pool villagers need a break against the merciless onslaught of developers through their once-peaceful community. Let's hope that this time the interests of Pool are properly represented by the council and that commonsense prevails for once.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.