LINDLEY residents have voiced their objections to a phone mast planned for the village church.
More than 50 packed into a public meeting in Lindley Methodist Church to hear about the plans for St Stephen's Church, and they were told the matter will be decided by Kirklees councillors on September 22.
The mobile phone company 3G want to site a mast on the tower at the parish church.
Church members have backed the proposal after consultation. The church will receive an estimated £6,000 rent per year.
But local people have objected on health grounds.
Many claimed at the meeting that the church tower was too near Lindley Junior School, which is 300 metres away.
Clr Tony Woodhead, who joined fellow councillor Christine Stansfield at the meeting, said there were concerns.
"The main objections were on health grounds but those cannot be taken into account at the planning committee.
"The residents were told by Pat Ashton, of Kirklees Council, that some mast plans could be approved without permission.
"A spokesman for the phone company was at the meeting and said there was a requirement for a 3G mast in the area".
