MOBILE phone company Orange is set to spend £60,000 building a mast which will be disguised as a tree.
Orange has applied to Kirklees Council to get the plans for the mast in Honley approved.
The firm approached council officers for advice on how to site the mast in the leafy, rural setting at Cliff Top, off Hall Ing Lane.
A tree disguise was suggested and the firm has now had a mast produced which looks like a cypress tree.
It is all artificial, but has realistic leaves, branches and trunk.
It will stand 45ft high and conceal three dual band, dual polar antennae, two 2ft-wide transmission dishes and an equipment cabinet.
Council planning officer Nick Willock said: "It is hard to tell what it is. It looks good.
"We didn't think a normal mast was appropriate, as it's a sensitive rural setting.
"The cost difference to them is massive. It costs £60,000 for the tree alone, without installation. Masts usually cost about £15,000."
The council can only refuse permission to telecommunications firms on the grounds of design or siting, because the firms have permitted development rights.
Mr Willock said the ``tree" was expected to gain planning officers' approval when a decision is made in a few weeks.
A public consultation will be carried out before any decision is made.
An Orange spokesman said: "We were the first in Europe to come up with the idea of a tree mast."
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