ENVIRONMENTAL health officials have been called in to assess the impact of proposals to put up a 20m phone mast outside a North Yorkshire town.

Mobile phone giant O2 wants to build the mast, complete with six antennae, two microwave dishes and an equipment cabin, at Keld Head Farm, Kirkbymoorside.

A petition signed by 44 residents expressing concerns and other letters of objection have been sent to planners at Ryedale District Council.

Now environmental officers have been requested to comment on the application.

In a report to the planning committee, due to discuss the proposals at a meeting next Tuesday, planning officer David Butt said: "The site put forward at Keld Head comprises part of a field already utilised for three mast installations.

"Given this, it is considered that a visual amenity objection would be difficult to sustain and that the impact upon the area of high landscape value would be minimal."

But Mr Butt said the issue of health implications was more problematic. "Most recent guidance emphasises that authorities should remain mindful of advice that such matters generally fall within the remit of other agencies," he said.

"The applicant has provided a certificate as recommended by the Stewart Report confirming that the proposal and the existing operators on the site meet the accepted guidelines for limiting exposure by the public to electromagnetic fields.

"Provision of the certificate means that the local planning authority does not need to consider the health aspects of proposals further."

He said the environmental health officer has been asked to comment.

Resident Dave Robinson, of Keld Head Orchard, Kirkbymoorside, was one of many people to put his name to the petition. In a letter to the council, he said: "Our countryside, even our back gardens, have always been considered places of natural beauty.

"It seems now that selected industries are intent on spoiling these precious traits that the North York Moors are so famed for."

"Having a young daughter, one of my major concerns is the health impact of these intrusions."

The applicant was not available to comment.

Members of the district council's planning committee have been recommended to approve the application at next Tuesday's meeting.

Updated: 10:26 Wednesday, June 18, 2003