PLANS for a mobile phone mast near a primary school have been rejected by planners, after running into strong objections from parents and residents.

More than 130 people wrote to Durham City Council and a 198-name petition was submitted after 02UK applied to put up a 12.5-metre-tall mast, at the junction of Crossgate Peth and The Avenue, near St Margaret's Primary School.

It is a conservation area and many of the objections related to the impact the structure would have on the area's appearance.

But many objectors were concerned about the possible health risks to pupils from radiation emitted by the transmitter, even though Government guidance says that there is no evidence of damage to health.

Their fears were heightened after studies were published showing seven clusters of cancer and other serious illnesses within a short radius of masts in other parts of the country.

The planning application was not considered by councillors, but was dealt with by officers under delegated powers.

The council's development control committee was told that officers considered that the proposed mast would breach policies in the 2004 City of Durham Local Plan.

Development control officer Allan Simpson told the committee that "the proposal, by virtue of its siting and appearance, fails to preserve or enhance the character of Durham (City Centre) Conservation Area, creating a prominent and intrusive feature.''

Dr Barbara Graziosi, a Durham University lecturer who has a daughter at the school and was among the objectors, said she was delighted the plan had been rejected.

Parents were furious when they were effectively left with two days to object because a letter from the council, informing the school of the application, was sent after the Easter holidays started and was not received until the next term started.

"Considering people only had a couple of days to react, it was a clear statement from people about what they wanted,'' said Dr Graziosi.

"I'm relieved and happy that concerns were taken into account. I'd like to thank everybody who took this up.''