A TAXI firm in Ilkley is to make another attempt today to get surrounding

residents on the same wavelength over its new radio mast.

The firm's planning application for a new radio mast was deferred in October last year after members of the Keighley area planning panel asked for it to be moved to a place where it did not offend nearby residents.

They had complained when the firm, based at Unit 14, Drill Hall Business Park, East Parade, replaced its old radio mast with a higher, more efficient one.

The new mast stuck around nine metres out from the roof and was supported by surrounding cables, but it was closer to local houses than the old one.

Residents, particularly those in Thwaites Avenue complained when they saw it and planning officers told the owner of Ilkley Taxis that he would need planning permission.

When the retrospective application came before the planning panel in October, Thwaites Avenue resident David Roper-Newman said the new mast was a 'dreadful and oppressive sight'.

He said: "The majority of the residents in the vicinity are elderly and retired, or disabled.

"They are confined to their homes most of the day, unable to go out much other than into their gardens.

"Now when they open their doors they are confronted by this dreadful and oppressive sight, which interferes with the reasonable enjoyment of our properties."

Khadir Hussain, speaking for the owner of the taxi firm, said it had been operating for around 10 years and employed around 16 people. He said that communication with the taxis had been a problem until the old mast was replaced with the new one.

A report to today's meeting of the planning panel said that the taxi firm had investigated moving the mast so it was less visible to residents.

But the report says that if the mast were to be put in the same place as the old one was before it was taken down, it would not be safe.

However, says the report, the mast has been moved around five metres closer to the front of the firm's office, a bit further away from the properties on the west.

The report also says that there is less visual clutter from the cables than previously.

The report says: "It is acknowledged that the mast is still visible when viewed from along Thwaites Avenue. However when viewed from the garden of number eight, immediately adjacent it appears slightly less oppressive and the reduced extent of the cables also makes it tidier. The mast is considered acceptable in its relocated position and approval is recommended.

"Whilst the mast is bigger than the original and nearer to adjoining houses it is not considered to be so big and intrusive as to warrant refusal of permission."

But Ilkley District Councillor Anne Hawkesworth said that the residents were still not happy with the mast and she expected the planning panel to make another site visit to judge the visual impact for themselves.

Coun Hawkesworth said that the planning panel's job was to balance the interests of the residents with the needs of a local employer.

The planning officer's report says: "On balance, the impact on the amenity of the adjoining occupiers is not considered substantial enough to justify refusal."