A MASSIVE phone mast planned for Ben Rhydding would be a "dreadful monstrosity", according to a local councillor.

Anne Hawkesworth said she was horrified when she found out about the 20 metre telecommunications mast proposed for Bolling Road.

The equipment, which would be put up near local playing fields, is also being opposed by many residents - although some see it as a "necessary evil". A Bradford Council notice about the application has been placed on a lamppost and residents have until August 20 to make their views known.

Cllr Hawkesworth said: "This application fills me with horror. It appears to be that a dreadful monstrosity is to be forced on the surrounding neighbours and indeed on the general community of Ben Rhydding. There is already an example at burley in Wharfedale which fortunately is not in a dense area of the village

"There is little doubt that the telecom service to Ben Rhydding is poor. Indeed personally I cannot rely on taking a mobile call if I am in the house and at times have to request that caller redials my landline.

"It is for this reason that some residents are telling me the 20 metre aerial is a necessary evil. My view is surely there is another site more suitable. But where ? If only the company would call a community consultation meeting to explain the difficulties and process to residents. I am aware that it is difficult to refuse as these aerials do unfortunately have a form of permitted development allocated by the government."

But she added:"Site and appearance are the two things council planning can consider. On both counts it appears to me to be unacceptable."

Cllr Hawkesworth said the application was causing a lot of angst among local people, and she has contacted the agents for the applicants asking them to arrange a community meeting for concerned residents.

One Bolling Road resident who did not want to be named said: "

"The mast is sited adjacent to a school playing field close to pre school and primary school buildings. Hundreds of children and parents walk past this site on an average school day. It is also within 200m of a conservation area and will be clearly visible from the Cow and Calf Rock.

"This proposal is totally unacceptable on every level and has already been objected to by a number of residents, most of whom have not been consulted directly.

"There is a notice at the site, but as this has been placed there during the school holidays, footfall is light and few people will read it I fear.

"In addition, being given three weeks to comment on a nationally controversial project (the installation will contain Huawai equipment I believe) is outrageous.

He stressed: " I feel that a wide range of local people have the right to be made aware of this plan so that they can comment. Not least, the parents of children who attend Ben Rhydding Primary and Ilkley Grammar School and who will walk past this installation several times a day."

A Three spokesperson said: “5G rollout is vital for residents and businesses of Bradford. We want to offer the community a reliable network experience and this site will be critical to making that happen.

“Masts needs to be situated where people will be using the service and, in precise locations to ensure the widest breadth of coverage. We carry out extensive searches and surveys to evaluate all the options. We then choose the option most likely to gain planning approval from the local council. This will include showing we have minimised the impact on residents and the locality. We have also consulted with the school and the local councillors on the mast.

“The 5G rollout by all UK MNOs complies with all global standards on health and safety which have been developed since the early 1990s – you can see recent independent testing from Ofcom here and find more information via #5gcheckthefacts on social media.”

The company says all equipment is installed in line with government guidance.