CAMPAIGNERS hope a compromise can be reached over controversial plans to put a 40ft-high phone mast only yards from York homes.

Mobile phone company O2 has agreed to consider an alternative site for the mast, after 316 residents signed a petition opposing plans for a mast at the junction of Heslington Lane and Broadway, in Fulford.

A feasibility study into a different site on Heslington Lane, nearer to the University of York campus, will now be carried out, following a meeting between O2 representatives, Selby MP John Grogan, York city councillor Andy D'Agorne, and parish councillor Judi Legg.

O2 spokeswoman Viv Ashby said: "We listened to their concerns, and equally they listened as to why the transmitter is needed and that location. I think from both sides the meeting was very positive."

But heavy tree cover at the new site may require a taller mast, which could create obstacles in the planning process, Ms Ashby warned. The Heslington Lane/

Broadway application was originally rejected by City of York Council in 2001, but a Government inspector overturned the decision in June 2002, without the knowledge of residents.

This only came to light when O2 made a new application in January to upgrade any future mast to allow 3G coverage.

To the delight of campaigners, this upgrade application was withdrawn last month, after Mr Grogan discovered that they had not complied with a planning code of conduct requiring them to consult with local people before submitting an application.

But in a dramatic U-turn, O2 last week wrote to residents expressing its intention to exercise its existing rights to erect a 2G mast.

Coun Legg, a resident of Heath Moor Drive, said she was "cautiously optimistic" following the meeting and believed the new site to be "more acceptable" from the perspective of residents but "not ideal".

"We hope the great British art of compromise will win the day," she said.

Coun D'Agorne, city councillor for Fishergate and a member of Fulford Parish Council, said he too was "hopeful a compromise will be possible" and thanked Mr Grogan for his support.

The feasibility study will be completed as soon as possible. O2 wishes to have a mast in place by the end of the year.

Updated: 08:18 Wednesday, March 17, 2004