AN Ilkley taxi firm should not be made to take down its new radio mast despite complaints from nearby residents, say planning officers.

Ilkley Taxis, at Drill Hall Business Park, near Leeds Road, got into trouble by putting up a new radio mast sticking 30 feet through the roof of the premises.

The mast replaced an earlier one which was prone to falling down but the company did not know it needed planning permission.

The new mast produces a better signal than the previous one and is more stable. But its installation brought waves of protest from disgruntled residents in the area, particularly those on nearby Thwaites Avenue.

After a local petition of objection, planners visited the company and informed the owners that planning permission was needed.

A retrospective planning application attracted opposition from Ilkley Parish Council's planning committee.

Vice-chairman Pat Stevenson said: "There was a great deal of objection from the residents. It was too high and they were very distressed about having it near their property."

The petition collected 35 signatures and there was also an objection from Ilkley district councillor Anne Hawkesworth.

According to the objectors the mast is an eyesore, too big, unsightly and out of proportion to the surrounding industrial units. There were also concerns about whether the mast was unsafe because of its height.

But according to a report to today's meeting of the Keighley Area Planning Panel the mast should be left as it is.

The report says: "When viewed from within the Drill Hall Business Park, the mast does not appear out of keeping due to the industrial character of this site.

"It is a slim structure and although noticeable to residents it is not accepted that the mast is unduly oppressive or prominent.

"It is more pronounced than the original mast but is a more secure structure and serves the needs of this local business better.

"Given the character of the Drill Hall Business Park and taking into account the concerns of residents, the visibility of the mast and the needs of this small business, it is not considered that refusal of planning permission to retain the mast would be reasonable."

The report also says that the mast is safe because it is bolted to the wall of the industrial unit and further stabilised by cables.

A spokesman at the company said they did not want to comment until the outcome of the area planning panel meeting.

If planning permission is granted one suggested condition is that the company should have to take down the old mast and get rid of it.