AN MP is to ask Army bosses to consider allowing a "mast-share" at a York barracks as an alternative to siting a controversial mobile phone mast near homes.

John Grogan is writing to the Ministry of Defence to ask if it would put an O2 mast on its communications tower at Worsley Barracks, in Fulford Road.

O2 is currently planning to put up a 40ft high mast at the junction of Heslington Lane and Broadway, in Fulford, despite strong objections from local residents, who presented a 316-name petition to the company.

As reported in some editions of yesterday's Evening Press, Mr Grogan, York city councillor Andy D'Agorne, and parish councillor Judi Legg, met O2 representatives on Monday to discuss a possible compromise over where the mast is sited.

Last month, O2 agreed to withdraw an application to put up a 3G mast at the junction after Mr Grogan discovered that the company had not complied with a planning code of conduct requiring it to undertake consultation with local people.

But last week residents learned that O2 is intending to exercise existing rights to put up a 2G mast.

O2 has now agreed to conduct a feasibility study at an alternative site on Heslington Lane, nearer the University of York campus, although it would also consider putting it at the barracks if the Ministry of Defence was in agreement.

O2 spokeswoman Viv Ashby said: "It is best practice to mast-share where we can. If it could be arranged and it is in the right location, we would be in favour of relocating the mast."

Mr Grogan said: "I think shifting it is the more likely option, as I believe the Army have been asked in the past and always turned it down. There could be security reasons for this that I am not aware of."

An Army spokeswoman could not say if there were currently any mobile phone masts sited at the barracks. "If and when the request comes in then obviously it will be considered," she said.

O2 hopes to have the mast operational by the end of the year.

Updated: 11:26 Thursday, March 18, 2004