A PROTESTER campaigning to stop an 80-foot high mast being put up in Yeadon claims a lack of publicity may have prevented more residents objecting.

Andrea Rowe, of Marshall Street, got together a 100-signature petition, protesting against the replacement of an existing mast off Haw Lane with a 25-metre mast, including a number of antennae and microwave dishes.

Mrs Rowe fears the potential effects of emissions from a taller mobile phone mast on the health of people living in the area.

She was advised by council officers that individual letters of objection would have more influence on the council's decision than a petition.

Mrs Rowe has since spread the message to as many residents in the area as possible, but thinks a lack of council notification signs, coupled with bad weather, has left some residents in the dark about the plans.

The official closing date for consultations was last Monday.

She said: "They put up a sign next to the junction on Haw Lane, but not everyone would walk past there, especially with the bad weather. The plans were up in Yeadon and Guiseley Library, but they were closed over Christmas."

In her covering letter to the council, Mrs Rowe said other countries, including New Zealand and the United States, had laws against building masts within 500 metres of human habitation. In those countries, any mast close to houses had to be moved.

She also fears the combined effects of mast emissions with radar emissions from Leeds Bradford Airport.

Leeds City Council said any more objections it received were still likely to be considered.

A spokeswoman said: "To date, the council has received 13 objections to this scheme. However, the council generally accepts objections right up to the date when a decision is made."

She said the plan was still being considered and had not yet been scheduled to appear before the council's Development Control Panel, which would make the final decision.