A bid to build a phone mast, which provoked more than 500 letters of protest, has been rejected by councillors.

Campaigners fighting a proposal by communications company Hutchinson 3G UK to erect a mast at Pelaw Grange, near Chester-le-Street, are celebrating a decision by district councillors to refuse planning permission.

The bid was turned down at Chester-le-Street District Council's planning meeting yesterday evening, on the grounds that it would create an eyesore for nearby residents. The construction would have been 10 metres higher than the average mast.

Speaking on behalf of residents, William Jackson, from Lyndhurst Avenue said the level of feeling against the plans was demonstrated by the fact that more than 500 letters of objection had been sent to the council.

He said they were concerned that the mast was only about 100 metres from Park View Comprehensive School and that residents' concerns outweighed any benefits of broad band technology provided by the mast.

Justine Yarwood, an agent speaking on behalf of Hutchinson 3G, told the meeting that they had looked at several other sites but they had been unsuitable.She said the emissions were well within recommended levels and there was provision for other mobile phone operators to put their own antenna on the mast, limiting the number built in the area.

Councillor John Evans criticised the government's planning guidelines covering mobile phone masts.

He said: "We're not allowed to consider the perception that masts might result in health problems. We're not allowed to consider need for these masts in terms of guidance that we get. I would like to know just what the devil we are allowed to consider."

He added: "We're only in a position to consider siting or appearance, well 150 metres from somebody's front door is an unsatisfactory siting by anybody's reckoning."

Councillors voted unanimously to reject the plans, against the planning officers recommendation.

Speaking after the council meeting, William Jackson said they had expected the decision. He said: "We know the strength of opposition, almost 50 per cent of the local community - that's households, not individuals. The health factor is not recognised in planning procedure and they'll have to come to terms with it at some point."